KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was present at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman here to facilitate the investigation into the audio clip that purportedly contains a conversation between him and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Anwar was seen arriving at the headquarters complex at 10am and left at 11.20am.

To the waiting members of the press, the PKR president briefly said he was there to give his statement and cooperation to the police.

“I was called to Bukit Aman today as a witness in the audio clip that purportedly contains a conversation between me and Umno president.

“So, I gave my cooperation to the police and they are investigating the case under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code,” he said.

Under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, investigation can be carried out into any individual who makes any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause fear or alarm to the public.

The four minutes and 17 seconds audio clip contains a conversation between two individuals with voices resembling those of Ahmad Zahid and Anwar, discussing matters related to the Umno General Assembly last month. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested two of its own officers on suspicion of links to fugitive Nicky Liow Soon Hee.

Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki said in a statement today that the officers are now under police detention to facilitate investigations.

“The MACC has arrested two of its officers believed to be involved in the criminal activities of the Nicky Gang,” the commission said.

“We have given our cooperation by handing the two officers to the police to help with their investigation.”

The duo’s arrest are among the first since Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador revealed last week that 34 officers and personnel from various enforcement agencies were suspected of having ties and protecting the activities of the organised crime syndicate.

Liow, 33, the founder of Winner Dynasty Group based in Setiawalk Puchong, Selangor went on the run after 68 of his associates were nabbed in Op Pelican 3.0 from March 20 to 28.

Azam said the MACC viewed corruption among its own officers seriously.

“In fact, we will apprehend and hand them over (to the police) if there are more involved,” he noted.

Earlier today, Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay confirmed the arrest of 10 police personnel suspected of being involved in ‘Nicky Gang’ activities.

The arrests were made in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Melaka and Negri Sembilan between April 21 and 27 as part of the second phase of Ops Pelican 3.0.

GEORGE TOWN: Seorang pemandu terbunuh selepas sebatang pokok angsana gergasi tumbang ketika hujan lebat dan menghempap bumbung kenderaan mangsa di Jalan Perak awal pagi tadi.

Polis menerima panggilan pada kira-kira jam 9.40 pagi, dan video kejadian itu yang menunjukkan usaha orang ramai ketika cuba membebaskan mangsa tersebut.

Laporan awal menyebut terdapat sekurang-kurangnya dua individu di dalam kereta itu, dan penyelamat berkata mereka tidak dapat mengesahkannya kerana batang pokok itu tumbang secara menyerong di atas kenderaan, terutama di tempat duduk depan.

Anggota pasukan bomba dan penyelamat kemudian mengesahkan hanya seorang mangsa terbabit – pemandu berusia 35 tahun.

Pokok yang tumbang itu mengakibatkan lalu lintas di jalan yang sibuk menuju ke Jalan Van Praagh dan Jalan Lenggong terhenti.

PETALING JAYA: A father who went to visit his son at a tahfiz school in Ampang was in for a shock. His son was terrified and in tears.

Worried about the boy, he took his son home and questioned him – and a horror story unfolded.

For some time now, the couple running the tahfiz school – which was unlicenced – has been abusing the students, the boy said.

He claimed he was punched in the head by the man running the school, and caned on his hands and feet, while the wife slapped him on the face four times. The boy had new and old bruises on his body.

The boy’s father then lodged a police report.

Yesterday, police raided the school and rescued eight male students, aged between seven and 15. The couple, who have been running the school in Taman Tun Abdul Razak since October 2020, were arrested.

In a statement, Ampang Jaya police chief Mohamad Farouk Eshak said the abuse came to light after the report was lodged.

The eight students who were rescued also claimed abuse at the hands of the couple.

The children have been sent to Hospital Ampang for further checks.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the tahfiz school is not licensed, be it by the local authority or the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais),” said Farouk.

The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which carries a maximum RM50,000 fine or a jail term not exceeding 20 years, or both.