PDRM applies for Interpol red notice to locate activist Tamim Dahri, who faces charges in Langkawi court for defiling a Hindu sacred symbol
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has submitted an application for a Red Notice to the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to locate and bring back activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak, who is wanted to face charges at the Langkawi Magistrate’s Court.
The Home Ministry (KDN) said a review of the records of the suspect’s entry and exit movements with the Immigration Department of Malaysia found that he was still overseas.
“PDRM obtained an arrest warrant from the Langkawi Magistrate on May 17, 2026, and subsequently blacklisted the suspect.
“For the purpose of locating and bringing back the suspect, PDRM applied for the cancellation of the suspect’s passport and subsequently submitted an application for a Red Notice to Interpol on June 8, 2026,” it said in a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat to a question from RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) on Tamim Dahri’s current whereabouts and the measures taken and being taken by the government.
According to media reports, Tamim Dahri is facing a charge under Section 295 of the Penal Code over allegations of damaging and defiling a ‘soolam’, which is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, at the site of an old temple in Langkawi, Kedah.
In response to a separate question, KDN said the cost of completing the remaining two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) had been revised to RM319.58 million.
KDN said OPV 2 and OPV 3 were currently at the stage of appointing a company for the completion contract after the original procurement contract for the three OPVs was mutually terminated with THHE Destini Sdn Bhd on Dec 31, 2024.
The first OPV, named KM Tun Fatimah, was handed over to MMEA on Jan 2, 2024.
“In line with the latest letter issued by the Ministry of Finance on June 5, KDN will conduct price negotiations with the company. KDN is also in discussions with the liquidator to enter the Pulau Indah shipyard.
“KDN expects the completion of the remaining works for OPV 2 and 3 to begin as early as November this year, subject to the activation of the Pulau Indah shipyard,” it said in a written reply to a question from Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah), who asked KDN to state the latest status of the construction of the remaining two OPVs.
Meanwhile, in response to a question from Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Stampin), KDN said non-existent investment schemes, telecommunications crimes and e-financial crimes contributed to more than 90 per cent of total losses from online scams between January 2024 and May 2026.
It said losses from the three categories amounted to RM4.88 billion out of the total RM5.37 billion recorded losses.
Non-existent investment schemes recorded the highest losses at RM2.68 billion, followed by telecommunications crimes (RM1.54 billion), e-financial crimes (RM660.64 million), e-commerce crimes (RM250.81 million), non-existent loans (RM138.92 million) and love scams (RM111.08 million).
“The government has strengthened the role of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) as a one-stop centre combining the expertise of the Royal Malaysia Police, Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and financial institutions to enable swift action to be taken against online scam cases.
“Through the NSRC 997 hotline, action to block the flow of victims’ money can be carried out during the critical period to prevent funds from being transferred out of the local banking system,” it said.
