Malaysia Crime Watch

22 December 2008
Kuala Lumpur

32-year-old Punitha Raja has become the first person to be convicted in Malaysia under Section 13 of the Anti-Trafficking In Persons Act 2007 for forcing a 33-year-old woman into prostitution.

The Indian national pleaded guilty to committing the offence at her rented residence along Jalan Kolam Air 5, Sentul, on 7 December 2008 at 2:40pm.

The victim was duped into the promise of a job as a maid by her Indian agent. When she was received by Punitha here, she forced her to become a prostitute. When the victim refused, she was physically assaulted by Punitha. She was also threatened that her family in India would be killed if she refused to comply.

The victim was forced to stay in a hotel for a week while Punitha brought her food daily. The victim had to serve 20 to 25 customers daily but none of the earned money was given to her.

On 7 December 2008, the victim sought the help of a taxi driver and escaped to the Indian embassy. She later lodged a police report at the Sentul district headquarters.

In court, Punitha was sentenced to 8 years’ jail and ordered that her term to commence from the date of her arrest, which was 7 December 2008.

The Star Online – First to be convicted under anti-trafficking law
<URL:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/22/nation/20081222201312&sec=nation>

Technorati Tags: malaysia crime, malaysia, crime, kuala lumpur, sentul, kolam air 5, anti trafficking, prostitution, indian

20 December 2008
Kuala Lumpur

Five men, aged between 20 and 46 years, have been arrested on Thursday night for being members of an extortion gang which had been preying on entertainment outlets in Sri Hartamas. They were believed to be working as security guards, parking attendants and nightclub bouncers.

It is believed that the gang would extort money from owners of clubs and pubs in the area. If the owners refused, the gang would break into and damage the premises of their outlets.

On Thursday 4am, the gang had just destroyed the windows of two nightclubs using motorcycle helmets and golf clubs.

Two more men are wanted by the police. They are Balakrishnan a/l Mahagaran alias Joe, aged 28, from Taman Danau Desa, Jalan Kelang Lama and Shankar a/l Ramasamy alias Shan, aged 39, from Lot 2, Sri Pahang, Bukit Bangsar.

The Star Online – Busted – gang extorting nightclubs
<URL:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/20/nation/2863364&sec=nation>

Technorati Tags: malaysia crime, malaysia, crime, kuala lumpur, sri hartamas, extortion, entertainment outlet, club, pub

18 December 2008
Alor Star

Police have detained two 16-year-old school boys in connection with the murder of a Lower Six student whose burnt body was found in a rubber estate in Kampung Bendang Pong, Kuala Nerang, yesterday at 2pm.

18-year-old Mohd Zubir Baharuddin was believed to have been beaten to death as there were multiple bruises and wounds on his head. His body was discovered by a estate worker at 6:30pm on Tuesday.

Zubir’s father, Baharuddin Omar, last saw his son at 11am on Monday. The 48-year-old odd-job worker said his son wanted to go to town by bus and got RM5 pocket money from his 45-year-old mother, Siti Saudah Daud. By 11pm that night, Zubir had not yet returned home.

The boys who had been detained by police attended the same SMK Syed Ahmad school in Kuala Nerang. One of them was the victim’s neighbour in Kampung Pengkalan Tok Teh while the other was from Kampung Bendang Paya, which is two kilometres from the murder scene.

Zubir’s mobile phone was found with one of the boys. Police suspects that the motive behind the murder was revenge for theft of money belonging to one of the boys’ father.

The Star Online – Two schoolboys held over classmate’s murder
<URL:http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/18/nation/2839668&sec=nation>

New Straits Times Online – Form Six student found murdered, two boys picked up
<URL:http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/2431134/Article/index_html>

Technorati Tags: malaysia crime, malaysia, crime, alor star, kuala nerang, bendang pong, murder, death, smk syed ahmad