Malaysians in the southern state of Tamil Nadu have been advised to stay indoors as protests and riots erupted immediately after Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa was convicted for a case involving disproportionate assets.
The 66-year-old former movie star, affectionately called 'Amma' by her supporters and given the monicker, 'Iron Lady of Tamil Nadu', was sentenced to four years' jail by the Special Court in Bangalore.
Jayalalithaa began her sentence effective today, and has been barred from polls for 10 years.
Malaysian Consul-General in Chennai, Chitra Devi Ramiah told Bernama here that Malaysians, especially students, had been alerted on the situation.
"At the moment, it is reported that all Malaysians, including tourists are safe and there are no safety-related issues reported to the consul-general," she said.
There are approximately 5,000 students in South India.
Jayalalithaa was found guilty of amassing Rs 66.65 crores (US$10.84 million) in wealth, disproportionate to known sources of her income during her first term in office between 1991-1996, reported Zee News.
Following the verdict, she has been disqualified as chief minister and member of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, it said.
According to the report, Jayalalithaa's close aide, Sasikala Natarajan, niece Ilavarasi and nephew, Sudhakaran, who is also her disowned foster son, were also convicted.
Meanwhile, shops throughout Tamil Nadu have been closed. Television has been flashing news of the ongoing riots. Schools have been closed for the day.
Bernama
Sat Sep 27 2014
-AFPpic
AWANI Tonight: 18 April 2024
#AWANITonight with @_farhanasheikh
1. Govt to draft MOU on allocations for opposition MPs
2. Volcano eruption: Thousands affected by flight cancellations
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Govt to draft MOU on allocations for opposition MPs
2. Volcano eruption: Thousands affected by flight cancellations
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
AWANI Tonight: Govt to draft MoU on allocations for opposition MPs
The government has agreed in principle to consider extending similar annual allocations to elected representatives from the opposition, with a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be drawn up soon.
AWANI Tonight: Building climate resilient communities
With the effects of climate change worsening over time, Junior Cho of Zurich Malaysia shares about building sustainable communities that are climate-resilient through the Urban Climate Resilience Programme.
AWANI Tonight: Singapore loses world's best airport crown to Qatar
Doha's Hamad International Airport has been named the world's best airport at the annual Skytrax Awards, beating 12-time winner Singapore Changi to take the top spot.
Perang dicetuskan blok Barat untuk terus kekal berkuasa - Penganalisis
Kemunculan kuasa-kuasa besar baharu seperti China yang mempunyai kekuatan ekonomi sangat tidak dijangka oleh Barat.
Serangan ke atas kedutaan adalah satu deklarasi perang - Penganalisis
Sebarang bentuk serangan ke atas mana-mana kedutaan atau konsulat boleh ditafsirkan sebagai satu deklarasi perang.
Sabah raih pelaburan RM11.34 bilion pada tahun lepas - Tun Juhar
Sabah menerima pelaburan berjumlah RM11.34 bilion pada tahun lepas, sekali gus menjadikannya negeri ketujuh meraih pelaburan tertinggi di negara ini.
Banjir Dubai: Pengembara Malaysia turut terkesan
Menurut laporan media Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE) dilanda hujan lebat sejak lewat Isnin hingga Selasa malam, mengatasi rekod sejak data mula dikumpulkan pada 1949.
Pasaran getah Malaysia ditutup rendah bagi tiga hari berturut-turut
Pada 5 petang, harga rujukan MRB bagi SMR 20 fizikal berada pada 765 sen sekilogram manakala lateks pukal pada 735 sen sekilogram.
AWANI Ringkas: Harga benih padi | Hilang kad pengenalan
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.