Malaysia Roundup: Navy helicopter collision, vehicle sales dip, illegal bases along Thai border
Navy helicopter collision kills crew
Two Malaysia Navy helicopters collided mid-air, killing all 10 crew members on board. Video footage shows the moment of impact. The circumstances leading up to the crash are currently unclear. No survivors were found. "All victims were confirmed dead on site and the remains were sent to the [Lumut] Military Hospital for identification," said the Royal Malaysian Navy. It is thought that one of the helicopters, a HOM M503-3 carrying seven passengers, crashed onto a running track. The other, a Fennec M502-6 transporting the remaining three casualties, crashed into a nearby swimming pool. The incident was reported to the state's fire and rescue service around 09:50 local time (01:50 GMT), the BBC reported.
Year-on-year dip in vehicle sales
Malaysia's new vehicle sales declined by 10% in March 2024 compared to the previous year. The drop was attributed to the end of a sales tax exemption period. However, sales in March were higher than in February, driven by rush deliveries and promotional campaigns. Year-to-date sales were up 5% compared to the previous period. The association expects April sales to be lower due to shortened working months during the festive holidays, local media the Star reports.
100 illegal bases along Malaysia-Thailand border
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has located over 100 illegal bases along the Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan. The bases were probably set up during the hot season, according to Customs Deputy Director-General Datuk Sazali Mohamad. He added that as the river's water level has been lowering, their numbers are anticipated to increase along the border town of Sungai Golok. According to local media Bernama, the bases are used for smuggling and are not under the jurisdiction of the Customs Department. The department has opened 670 investigation papers and made seizures worth RM27.9 million (about $5.8 million) in 2023.
Power theft for crypto mining
In the Sarawak state, northwest coast of Malaysia, power theft for crypto mining has become a major problem. Three covert crypto mining operations were recently uncovered, leading to an estimated monthly loss of 30,000 Ringgit ($6,276) for the utility company. The investigation team seized over 70 cryptocurrency mining servers and devices and found that some operators were illicitly tapping into electricity cables. Those convicted of power theft could face up to 5 years in jail.
Arrests over alleged illegal anchoring
Two ships and 44 seafarers were arrested in Malaysia for alleged illegal anchoring. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency seized a tanker and a cargo ship at separate locations in Johor waters the main river in Johor state, southern Malaysia for not having permits to anchor, according to Bernama. Johor Maritime Director Maritime First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said that The first seizure occurred on a cargo ship in Sierra Leone, while the second involved a tanker in Comoros. He added that Malaysian authorities have arrested 15 Bangladeshis and Indonesians and 29 Indian, Pakistan, and Iranian nationals in the two separate ship seizures. “The captain of both vessels, along with 12 crew members, were taken for further investigation," he told reporters.
