Terlanjur perahu boleh undurkan, terlanjur noda...

Sudahlah ternoda di awal usia, berdosa dengan kurnia ilahi pula... Untuk ibu-ibu & bapa-bapa yang punya anak muda berkerja mahupun masih di bangku sekolah, lebihkanlah pengawasan dan perhatian. Biar cegah dulu sebelum menyesal di hari kemudian...

PENANG, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- A teenage factory worker was charged in the Balik Pulau magistrate's court for allegedly killing her child who was found in the toilet of a factory in Bayan Lepas last year.

Nurul Syuhada Shamsudin, 19, from Parit Buntar in Perak, is alleged to have committed the offence in the toilet of an electronics factory at Phase 4, Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, at 12.30am on Dec 30, 2009.

No plea was recorded and bail was not allowed since the offence was punishable under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Nurul Syuhada was not represented.

Magistrate Norhayati Johar fixed Feb 19, for mention, pending post-mortem and chemist reports.

The baby, believed to be a month old, was found protruding from the hole of a toilet bowl, by a cleaner who was trying to repair the clogged toilet at about 2.15pm on Dec 30.

-- BERNAMA - Teenage Mum Charged With Murder

Also on the Star - Teenage mum charged with killing baby

Another Mega Landmark for Balik Pulau - Judiciary Court Complex

It's ready!

The new Kompleks all set to join the many neighboring fresh landmarks of Balik Pulau, namely the Al-Mokhtar District Mosque, the Balik Pulau Public Library (operated by Perbadanan Perpustakaan Pulau Pinang) and the new Syariah Judiciary Court (under construction), all gracing Jalan Balik Pulau (also known as Jalan Besar, ie. Main Road).

Not far nearby, on the same road, is another construction in progress for a public school, Sekolah Menengah Pondok Upeh. And towards the end of the road near Simpang Empat Genting, another al-Mashoor school is pending construction as Balik Pulau gears to become an education hub - edu-tourism centre!


The gates in front of the main entrance of the court complex seems rather ugly though, and might be well be removed to ensure that the beauty of the building inside shows across the front street.

UPDATES (Fri, 15jan10) - views during dusk & evening hours with bright lights sparkling the entire building... (next to the court building is the Balik Pulau Branch of Public Library and the Barat Daya District Mosque)

Ibu Ying Ying bebas tuduhan dadah

PULAU PINANG - Mahkamah Majistret Balik Pulau melepas dan membebaskan Teh Hooi Wen, ibu Shearwel Ooi Ying Ying, kanak-kanak yang dipercayai dibakar selepas dibunuh, tanpa dipanggil membela diri terhadap tuduhan memasukkan dadah jenis methaphetamine ke dalam badannya sendiri, dua tahun lalu.

Majistret Norhayati Johar mengeluarkan perintah itu setelah mendapati pihak pendakwaan gagal membuktikan kes prima facie terhadap tertuduh.

Keputusan itu dibuat setelah mahkamah mendengar keterangan tiga saksi yang dikemukakan pada perbicaraan penuh di akhir kes pendakwaan semalam.

Teh, 29, dituduh memasukkan dadah jenis methaphetamine ke dalam badan sendiri kira-kira 1.30 pagi pada 9 Julai 2007 di Balai Polis Bayan Lepas dan kesalahan itu didakwa dilakukan menurut Seksyen 15(1)(a) Akta Dadah Berbahaya 1952.

Sabit kesalahan, dia boleh didenda maksimum RM5,000 atau penjara tidak lebih dua tahun dan diletakkan di bawah pengawasan polis.

Originally at http://www.sinarharian.com.my/com/content/story2889975.asp

Tracking crimes all the way to Balik Pulau

It wasn't long ago when crimes after crimes (see January post) made to national headlines, implicating Balik Pulau residents. Recent shooting spree in Bukit Jambul that had one killed, and another injured, apparently had a Balik Pulau connection, again...

And this time, crews of Citizen Journalists are at it again, uncovering the hidden secrets of Balik Pulau:



...and they get to tour the new Balik Pulau market for some shopping spree as well :)

Follow the news:

BERNAMA: May 10, 2009 21:00 PM

Police Probe Firearm Magazines, Smoke Bomb Discovery

BALIK PULAU, May 10 (Bernama) -- The police are investigating whether two firearm magazines and a smoke bomb found in the bushes at Km6 Jalan Tun Sardon here today had any connection with a robbery at the Bukit Jambul Complex last night.

Penang CID chief SAC II Wan Abdullah Tunku Said said the magazines and smoke bomb were found in a sling bag at 12.55pm.

A robber was shot dead and a female gold outlet assistant sustained injuries during a robbery at a jewellery outlet in Bukit Jambul Complex at about 8.30pm last night.

One of the three robbers was gunned down by the outlet's security guard. The other two robbers fled with a portion of the loot.

-- BERNAMA

Robber shot dead by guard in goldsmith heist

The Malaysian Insider - ‎May 10, 2009‎

The resulting gunbattle between the guard and the robbers ended with one of the robbers, a 22-year-old man from Balik Pulau here, shot in the chest. ...

Robber shot dead during gems heist

New Straits Times - ‎May 9, 2009‎

... outlet assistant was rushed to the Pantai Mutiara Hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition. The dead gunman, aged 22, was from Balik Pulau.

Pokok ganja di Sungai Pinang pulak!

BALIK PULAU: Polis menahan seorang pengimpal besi kerana memiliki tujuh batang pokok ganja yang ditanam di dalam rumahnya di Sungai Pinang, di sini semalam.

Ketua Polis Daerah Barat Daya Supt Hatta Md Zain berkata bertindak atas maklumat dan risikan, polis melakukan serbuan di rumah berkenaan kira-kira jam 5.45 petang serta menahan lelaki berusia 22 tahun itu.

"Polis menemui tujuh batang pokok ganja yang dianggarkan berusia kira-kira dua bulan yang ditanam di dalam pasu di rumah yang disewa lelaki berkenaan," katanya pada sidang akhbar di sini hari ini.

SUMBER: Harian Metro Lelaki tanam ganja ditahan

This Month in Balik Pulau (March 2009) - Drugs, Drinking, Debt, Deceit, Defeat > Death!

Not so quiet of village-town it seems!

Welcome to Bandaraya Balik Pulau, the center of actions (too), just at the backside of the world-famous island of Penang...

On the good side, entrepreneurial spirits, women power and massive developments (infrastructure-wise plus towards social & economic ones) are hailing rapidly from this small, remote town, some 10+ kilometres away from George Town, Gelugor or Bayan Lepas metro-like cities of Pulau Pinang.

Here's what being talked about, and had been in the media (THE BIG NEWS STORIES) during the full month March 2009:-

agaknya ahli akan akhirnya aku ara asar atas attractions bahawa barat baru batu beaches beautiful berada berbangsa berjanji bersetia berubah cina daerah dan daya dengan eileen few final hidangan hingga ini kami kenangan kepada krmbp kuala lagi membelasah pada penang pengakap pinang saya selamat skpdl sungai tahun terus wajah yang

Man found buried at beach

Malaysia Star - ‎‎Mar 27, 2009‎

By ANN TAN BALIK PULAU: A tourist had a shock when he stumbled upon a body that was partially buried in the sand on the Teluk Bahang beach. ...

Winners and Losers

The Malaysian Insider - ‎‎Mar 26, 2009‎

Datuk Norraesah Mohamad – the former banker was told by Abdullah that she would be appointed to the Cabinet if she won the Balik Pulau parliamentary ...

Foreigners with vital info can get witness protection

New Straits Times - ‎Mar 23, 2009‎

To a call by Yusmaidi Yusof (PKR-Balik Pulau) that an annual report be tabled in the house on the programme, he said this could not be done as it would ...

Balik Pulau’s online marketing bid

Malaysia Star - ‎Mar 22, 2009‎

By MANJIT KAUR BALIK PULAU: Housewives have a new reason to be tech-savvy – to buy poultry, fish and vegetables with a click of the mouse. ...

Malaysia Star

Tour agent faces 10 years’ jail

Malaysia Star - ‎Mar 19, 2009‎

BALIK PULAU: A travel agent claimed trial in the magistrate’s court here to cheating a man of RM22,300 by writing him a cheque for the sum from an account ...

Man Charged With Trafficking In Ketamine

Bernama - ‎Mar 19, 2009‎

BALIK PULAU, March 19 (Bernama) -- An Indian national was charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking in 13.676kg of ketamine. ...

Travel Agent Charged With Cheating

Bernama - ‎Mar 19, 2009‎

BALIK PULAU, March 19 (Bernama) -- A travel agent pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate's Court here today to a cheating involving RM22,300. ...

Buses to remain in Penang

New Straits Times - ‎Mar 18, 2009‎

The five depots are at Lorong Kulit, Tanjung Bunga, Sungai Nibong and Balik Pulau on the island and in Butterworth. However, state Local Government and ...

Malaysia Star

Nifty touch

Malaysia Star - ‎Mar 18, 2009‎

Hailing from Balik Pulau, Penang, Soong had already amassed a string of beauty titles by the time she was 19. A small-town girl with big dreams and steely ...

Speculation that Penang DCM Fairus on way out

Malaysia Star - ‎Mar 18, 2009‎

Balik Pulau division chief Dr Mansor Othman, Deputy State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Hock Leong and state PKR election director Mustafa Kamal Mohd ...

Rapid Penang denies threatening state govt

Malaysia Star - ‎Mar 18, 2009‎

"Currently, Rapid Penang has four depots for buses, with one each in Tanjung Bungah, Balik Pulau and Lorong Kulit and belonging to the Penang Municipal ...

3 M’sians, 2 Indonesians nabbed with 8kg ganja

Malaysia Star - ‎Mar 16, 2009‎

By LOOI SUE-CHERN BALIK PULAU: The police have arrested three Malaysians and two Indonesians and confiscated about 8kg of ganja in Sungai Ara in Bayan Lepas ...

Give Priority To Small Projects, Says Backbencher

Bernama - ‎Mar 11, 2009‎

Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) and Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusoff (PKR-Balik Pulau) called on the government to ensure that the RM60 billion allocation would ...

Guan Eng thanks Najib for money, then asks where it will come from

The Malaysian Insider - ‎Mar 11, 2009‎

... such as the proposed RM500 million halal hub in Balik Pulau and Batu Kawan; RM200 million loan for its Heritage Rehabilitation Plan in Georgetown as a ...

‘Datuk Kabi’ hearing on June 24 and 30

Malaysia Star - ‎Mar 10, 2009‎

By K. KASTURI DEWI BALIK PULAU: A magistrate’s court has fixed June 24 and 30 to hear two charges against C. Kamaleshwaran, popularly known as “Datuk Kabi,” ...

5 Rapid Penang depots more than sufficient, says exco man

New Straits Times - ‎Mar 9, 2009‎

Four of its depots are on the island, in Sungai Nibong, Lorong Kulit, Tanjung Bunga and Balik Pulau while the one on the mainland is in Butterworth. ...

Plumber allegedly beat daughter

Malaysia Star - ‎Mar 9, 2009‎

Balik Pulau OCPD Supt Mohd Hatta Mohd Zain said initial investigations revealed that the father might have beaten his four-month-old baby girl when he could ...

RapidPenang: No depot site, no 200 extra buses

New Straits Times - ‎Mar 6, 2009‎

The five depots RapidPenang are at Lorong Kulit, Tanjung Bungah, Sungai Nibong and Balik Pulau on the island and one in Butterworth. ...

Dead newborn found dumped in drain

AsiaOne - ‎Mar 4, 2009‎

By TAN SIN CHOW BALIK PULAU, MALAYSIA: A newborn baby boy with his umbilical cord still intact was found dead in a drain at KM55.3 of Jalan Teluk Bahang ...

Malaysia Star

Ying Ying’s mum to face two drug trials

Malaysia Star - ‎Mar 4, 2009‎

BALIK PULAU: Although the case of lodging a false missing person’s report about her dead daughter is now behind her, former sales executive Jess Teh Hooi ...

Death by (Loan) Sharks at the Beach

BALIK PULAU: A tourist had a shock when he stumbled upon a body that was partially buried in the sand on the Teluk Bahang beach.

V. Rajendram, 50, who was taking a stroll at 3am, said the man was still breathing when he tried to pull him out.

“There was smell of blood. Since I feared that I might cause more injuries, I immediately informed the police,” he said.

The victim, identified as Lee Hoay Chin, 53, died when police arrived at the scene.

Crime scene investigation: Police removing the body from the beach.

He is believed to have been drinking alone at the beach when he was set upon by assailants.

Police found Lee’s wallet nearby with only his MyKad in it.

Three liquor bottles, packets of peanuts, other food and a handphone, believed to belong to Lee, were found nearby.

Police said at least two people had attacked Lee and buried him.

State CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Wan Abdullah Tuanku Said, who visited the scene, said investigations showed that Lee’s back was hit with a hard object.

“There are injuries on the right side of his body but we have to wait for a post mortem to ascertain the cause of death,” he said.

SAC Wan Abdullah said the motive of the murder was still unclear and police were looking at robbery or financial disputes as possible causes.

Police have yet to contact the victim’s family.

Newsmen who went to the address stated in the MyKad at Bukit Mertajam found the door locked and sprayed with red paint.

Neighbours claimed that Lee could have been set upon by loan sharks due to his financial problems.

SOURCE: The Star (Ann Tan) - Man found buried at beach

Headlines from Balik Pulau This Month (Jan 2009)

abductor abdullah abu action another attempted attend baru boy brother butterworth captors car case ceremony charge cheating claims coffeeshop counts courts datuk dead death defence deputy dewi dodgers down drove dumped earlier eight elder escaped faces george jalan kabi kamaleshwaran kasturi magistrate national penang plunges police service skipped town will

Bernama Malaysia Star New Straits Times

Malaysia

Penang PKR drops three from line-up Daily Express, Malaysia - Jan 24, 2009 Balik Pulau division chief Dr Mansor Othman, Deputy Speaker Tan Hock Leong and state PKR election director Mustafa Kamal Mohd Yusoff had been appointed to ... Shake-up in Penang PKR exposes deep rifts New Straits Times, Malaysia - Jan 24, 2009 Fairus and Law, both of whom were previously state PKR deputy liaison committee chairmen, have been replaced with Balik Pulau division chief Dr Mansor ... Deputy CM out of Penang PKR line-up The Star, Malaysia - Jan 24, 2009 The three were replaced by PKR Balik Pulau division chief and former PKR state chairman Dr Mansor Othman, Machang Bubuk assemblyman Tan Hock Leong and PKR ... 21-01-2009: RapidPenang to break even in 2 years The Edge Daily, Malaysia - Jan 20, 2009 Previously, there was a bus to Balik Pulau which stopped en route at the airport, but the buses were only available at 30-minute intervals. Use softer approach, US urged New Straits Times, Malaysia - Jan 20, 2009 Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yussof said Obama's stated desire to reach out to the Muslim world was a breath of fresh air compared to Bush's perceived hostility ... Melting moments Malaysia Star, Malaysia - Jan 17, 2009 At the Hawker Stall No.20 in the Balik Pulau New Market, Ah Kim who makes more than 20 different types of cookies and kuih is also known for her very tasty ... Nice surprise Malaysia Star, Malaysia - Jan 16, 2009 ... 4120 copies of The Star with the NiE pullouts to SK Lahar Kepar in Kepala Batas and SK Sungai Korok in Balik Pulau until the end of the school year. ... 'Datuk Kabi' claims trial for 9th cheating charge New Straits Times, Malaysia - 15 Jan 2009 He faces eight similar charges in Penang at the Butterworth, George Town and Balik Pulau magistrate's courts. Magistrate Mohamed Ruhi-zat Abdullah fixed ...

No action against 3000 NS dodgers Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 15 Jan 2009 By K. KASTURI DEWI BALIK PULAU: Police will not take action against some 3000 national service dodgers who failed to attend training since its inception in ...

No Further Action Against 3000 NS Dodgers Bernama, Malaysia - 15 Jan 2009 He was speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony of the PLKN Sixth Series 2009 by Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop at Balik Pulau, ...

Another charge for ‘Datuk Kabi’ Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 14 Jan 2009 Kamaleshwaran, 29, faces eight other charges at the Balik Pulau, George Town and Butterworth magistrates courts. His elder brother C. Yoganandha Moorthy, ...

No action yet against 3000 who skipped NS Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 14 Jan 2009 By K. KASTURI DEWI BALIK PULAU: The police will not be taking action against 3000 of the 6000 youngsters who have skipped National Service (NS) since the ...

Brother of 'Datuk Kabi' charged with 11 counts of cheating New Straits Times, Malaysia - 12 Jan 2009 Earlier this month, Kamaleshwaran was charged with eight counts of cheating -- three in Balik Pulau, four in George Town and one in Butterworth magistrate's ...

Brothers survive after car plunges down slope The Star, Malaysia - 10 Jan 2009 By K. KASTURI DEWI BALIK PULAU: Two brothers narrowly escaped death when a Honda VTEC they were travelling in ran off the main road and plunged down a steep ...

Boy's abductor 'spoke Thai' New Straits Times, Malaysia - 10 Jan 2009 His captors panicked when the boy played dead, and dumped him near Balik Pulau. He was rescued by a passing motorist who sent him to hospital. ...

Case filed as attempted murder Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 10 Jan 2009 He then pretended to faint, and his captors drove him to Balik Pulau and pushed him out of the car in Jalan Baru where he managed to get help from a trader. ...

Another Penang favourite Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 10 Jan 2009 The coffeeshop is on Jalan Balik Pulau and it is open between 10am and 5pm with extended hours during peak periods.

Police identify one of two suspects in abduction case
New Straits Times, Malaysia - 10 Jan 2009
Police have identified one of two suspects, both of whom are still at large, relating to the case where a youth was abducted and tortured on New Year’s day. ...

Rescue alert Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 9 Jan 2009 A tourist posing in front of a traditional kampung house in Kampung Jalan Bharu, Balik Pulau, Penang. — KE OOI, KT GOH & WAN MOHIZAN WAN HUSSEIN/The Star ...

Higher Education Chance For Rural Children Bernama, Malaysia - 8 Jan 2009 By Melati Mohd Ariff BALIK PULAU (Pulau Pinang), Jan 9 (Bernama) -- For the 'average' academic achievers, failure to get a place in universities is not the ...

Contest for bus commuters The Star, Malaysia - 8 Jan 2009 Entry forms can be collected from Rapid Penang headquarters at Lorong Kulit, Weld Quay information counter, Penang Sentral in Butterworth, Balik Pulau ...

It's eight raps for 'Datuk Kabi' now New Straits Times, Malaysia - 8 Jan 2009 Kamaleshwaran faces three charges in Balik Pulau and four in George Town magistrates' courts. He has claimed trial to all the charges.

Deal to trade python skins goes sour The Star, Malaysia - 8 Jan 2009 By ANN TAN BALIK PULAU: Four men armed with two pistols held eight people hostage for more than five hours after a deal to trade python skins and mineral ...

Eighth Charge On 'Datuk Kabi' Bernama, Malaysia - 8 Jan 2009 All the previous three charges at Balik Pulau magistrate's courts and four before Georgetown magistrates, have been set for re-mention on Feb 10 and ...

'Datuk Kabi' faces four more cheating charges New Straits Times, Malaysia - 6 Jan 2009 He was charged last Friday at the Balik Pulau magistrate's court with one count and at the same court on Monday with two counts. The two counts will also be ...

'Datuk Kabi' Slapped With Four More Charges Bernama, Malaysia - 6 Jan 2009 Yesterday, Kamaleshwaran faced two charges of cheating at the Balik Pulau magistrate's court. On the first charge, he was said to have cheated C. Rethnadevi ...

‘Datuk Kabi’ faces four more cheating charges
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 6 Jan 2009
By PRISCILLA DIELENBERG GEORGE TOWN: C. Kamaleshwaran aka “Datuk Kabi,” who was charged with three counts of cheating at the Balik Pulau magistrate’s court ...

Court grants ‘Datuk Kabi’ bail
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 5 Jan 2009
BALIK PULAU: The magistrate’s court here granted bail to a 29-year-old man, who goes by the name “Datuk Kabi”, despite being told that he had jumped bail ...

Shoplifting mum gets jail and fine The Star, Malaysia - 5 Jan 2009 BALIK PULAU: She had recently lost her job when the factory she worked in closed down. Desperate, she shoplifted food items to feed her three-year-old child ...

Retrenched young mother resorts to shoplifting The Star, Malaysia - 5 Jan 2009 By PRISCILLA DIELENBERG BALIK PULAU: A young mother was jailed two days and fined RM300 at a magistrate’s court after she admitted to shoplifting RM275.09 ...

'Datuk Kabi' Faces Two More Charges Bernama, Malaysia - 5 Jan 2009 BALIK PULAU, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- A man known as "Datuk Kabi" was taken to the Magistrate's Court here today to face two more cheating charges. ...

Woman who lost her factory job gets RM300 fine, jail for shoplifting New Straits Times, Malaysia - 4 Jan 2009 BALIK PULAU, Mon: A woman who lost her job after the factory where she was working was closed was jailed two days and fined RM300 in default three days’ ...

Mouth injuries stall abduction probe AsiaOne, Singapore - 4 Jan 2009 He said he then pretended to faint, and his captors drove him to Balik Pulau and pushed him out of the car by the side of Jalan Baru, where he sought help ...

Father wants abductor rearrested New Straits Times, Malaysia - 3 Jan 2009 "They carried him back to the car and dumped him near Balik Pulau," said Idris. The boy was rescued by a passing motorist who sent him to the Penang ...

Rescued boy tells of kidnap and torture ordeal Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 3 Jan 2009 Muhamad Akhir said he then pretended to faint after which the abductors drove him to Balik Pulau, about 20km away, and pushed him out of the car by the side ...

Teenager recounts harrowing experience of being abducted and tortured New Straits Times, Malaysia - 3 Jan 2009 Unable to stand the torture anymore, Mohamad Akhir pretended to have fainted and the men reacted by throwing him onto the roadside in Balik Pulau. ...

Man charged with cheating car owner
New Straits Times, Malaysia - 2 Jan 2009
BALIK PULAU: A man, known as "Datuk Kabi", was charged at the magistrate's court yesterday with cheating a car owner by issuing a cheque which bounced. ...

‘Datuk’ faces 10 years’ jail and rotan Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 2 Jan 2009 GEORGE TOWN: A 29-year-old man who goes by the name “Datuk Kabi” claimed trial in a magistrate’s court in Balik Pulau to cheating a car salesman of RM75,000 ...

Mangrove replanting takes root Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 29 Dec 2008 The saplings were planted in Sungai Bu-rong in Balik Pulau, Kuala Sungai Chenaam, Batu Kawan, Kuala Sungai Kerian, Byram in Nibong Tebal and Kuala Muda in ...

Year-long ramblings, soon hello 2009 The Borneo Post, Malaysia - 27 Dec 2008 Ah Lian was a pillion rider holding two big bags of durians when their motorbike rode over a hump in the town of Balik Pulau in front of the bus terminal. ...

Planting saplings to mark tsunami New Straits Times, Malaysia - 27 Dec 2008 The sites included Sungai Burung in Balik Pulau, Kuala Sungai Chenaam in Sungai Acheh, Kuala Sungai Kerian in Byram, Nibong Tebal, Kuala Muda in Penaga, ...

A certain calm at beach Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 26 Dec 2008 THE balmy weather on Boxing Day drew crowds to beaches on Penang island except for Pantai Pasir Panjang in Balik Pulau despite the lure of its crystal clear ...

Charming urban village Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 25 Dec 2008 Dr Wazir opined that the Tanjung Tokong traditional Malay village, like those in Batu Maung, Gertak Sanggul and Balik Pulau, has potential to become a ...

Air Tenang Jangan Disangka Tak Ada Buaya (Ular Sawa)...

By ANN TAN

BALIK PULAU: Four men armed with two pistols held eight people hostage for more than five hours after a deal to trade python skins and mineral stones went sour in Pulau Betong here.

The buyer and his seven workers met the four men inside a hut at 2am yesterday but could not come to an agreement on price.

Illegal business: DCP Ayub (right) looking at th sheets of python skin recovered from the hut in Pulau Betong.

It is also believed that the buyer also owed the four men a large sum of money from an earlier transaction.

Tempers flared which led to the eight being forced into a room at gunpoint following an argument.

State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob said the police received a tip-off about the matter at 2.50am and monitored the situation for a few hours before surrounding the hut at 9am.

“We managed to persuade the four men, in their 20s and 30s, from the Klang Valley to surrender and release their hostages after a 50-minute negotiation. Nobody was injured during the tense situation.

“Two Sig Sauer pistols with two magazines, a shotgun, a BMW, a Perodua Myvi, 164 python skins and over ten buckets of mineral stones were seized, together with the arrest of the 12 people,” he told a press conference yesterday.

In custody: The suspects being led away from the crime scene in Pulau Betong yesterday.

DCP Ayub said the stones, containing traces of gold were smuggled here from a neighbouring country, adding that the python skins would be sent to the state Wildlife department to see if they were from protected species.

“Our investigations showed that the hut had been a centre for smuggling for quite some time. We are now looking for the other accomplices.

“We are investigating the case as wrongful confinement under Section 342 of the Penal Code and firearms possession under Section 8 of the Firearms Act (Increased Penalties),” he added.

State Wildlife operations enforcement unit chief Khairul Nizam Yahaya said the python skins could be sold for between RM200 and RM300 each to be made into handbags and shoes.

From The Star: Deal to trade python skins goes sour

Komplot Emas Acheh di Pulau Betong

INILAH rumah kayu milik bekas anggota polis yang disewa kepada penjenayah dan dijadikan markas oleh Geng Batu Emas sejak setahun lalu.

BALIK PULAU - Siapa sangka sebuah rumah kayu di Jalan Datuk Bashar, Pulau Betong di sini menyimpan rahsia besar aktiviti satu sindiket menjual batu mineral emas yang diseludup dari Aceh, Indonesia.

Kegiatan itu terbongkar berikutan polis menerima satu maklumat daripada seorang penduduk kampung pukul 2.50 pagi semalam yang memaklumkan ada sekumpulan lelaki India yang menaiki dua buah kereta iaitu BMW dan Perodua MyVi membuat kecoh di rumah tersebut.
Sepasukan polis yang tiba di rumah tersebut kemudian mendapati kumpulan lelaki India itu sedang mengugut dan mengurung lapan lelaki di dalam rumah kayu itu.

Pasukan polis cuba menyelesaikan perbalahan tersebut tetapi ia bertambah kusut apabila empat lelaki tersebut mempunyai senjata.

AYUB (kanan) menunjukkan sebahagian barang yang dirampas ekoran penahanan 12 lelaki di
Pulau Betong, Balik Pulau semalam.

Pasukan polis yang gagal memujuk kumpulan lelaki bersenjata itu menyerah diri terpaksa meminta tambahan anggota bagi memastikan semua yang ada di dalam rumah tersebut selamat.
Ketua Polis Pulau Pinang, Datuk Ayub Yaakob berkata, polis kemudian mengepung seluruh kawasan rumah tersebut sebelum mengarahkan empat lelaki India yang berusia 19 dan 33 tahun dari Lembah Klang itu menyerah diri.

"Hanya pada pukul 9.30 pagi kesemua lelaki India itu menyerah diri sementara lapan mangsa turut dilepaskan oleh mereka," kata beliau.

Petikan dari Kosmo, 9 Januari 2009

Sin Chew reporter attacked after taking a photo

By BERNARD SEE

PENANG: A Sin Chew Daily reporter received four stitches on his upper lip when a youth attacked him after he had snapped a picture of an accident in Jalan Balik Pulau here.

Ang Tong Kai, 32, was punched on the mouth by the 21-year-old youth who rushed at him following the accident about 3.30am.

The youth and his father, in his 40s, had driven their car into a 15m-deep ravine while trying to negotiate a sharp corner. They were on their way home then.

The youth managed to climb out of the vehicle to seek help for his father who was unconsciousness after knocking his head. It was then that he rushed at Ang and attacked him.

Both Ang and the youth’s father were later taken to the Penang Hospital where Ang received outpatient treatment while the youth’s father was admitted for observation.

At the hospital, the drama continued as the youth and his 10 friends "invited" the other reporters to a fight.

One of them tried to attack a China Press reporter who chided them for their gangster-like behaviour.

They even tried to stop the reporters, who decided to leave before the situation got worse, from leaving the hospital.

Ang said he is considering lodging a police report against his attacker, adding that he is in pain every time he talks.

Ang said the youth had earlier used a torchlight to hit him on the head a few times.

State CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Datuk Abdul Samah Mat said he would look into the matter once a report is lodged, adding that no one should be allowed to take the law into his own hands.

SOURCE: The Star Online > Nation