Latest news with #Hishamuddin
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Rights group urges Anwar to act, 28 Malaysians trapped in Myanmar human trafficking crisis
PUTRAJAYA: A rights group has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to fully leverage Malaysia's Asean chairmanship to address the ongoing human trafficking crisis involving Malaysians across the region. The Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MH0) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said many Malaysians remain detained and confined as a result of deception and manipulation by criminal trafficking networks. "MHO has received numerous alarming reports of Malaysians being lured by fraudulent job offers and subsequently trafficked to countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, where they face inhumane treatment, exploitation, and illegal detention. "Therefore, we believe that Malaysia's leadership as chair of Asean this year presents a timely and strategic opportunity to comprehensively and effectively elevate the human trafficking issue to the regional agenda," he told reporters at Wisma Putra here. He shared details of 28 victims who are currently held in Myanmar. Asean leaders, meeting in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week, pledged to intensify regional cooperation against transnational crimes — particularly online scams and human trafficking — through the Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC). Thousands of people have been lured by social media posts advertising high-paying jobs in countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, only to find themselves trapped in cyber scam operations—some held against their will and forced to defraud others online. Hishamuddin said Malaysia's leadership in Asean gives it a key role to lead unified policies and cooperation between countries to tackle the rising problem of transnational crimes, like human trafficking. "Our nation's pivotal role in Asean leadership positions us to spearhead the development of unified policies, enhance cross-border collaboration, and coordinate collective action against this escalating transnational crime," he said after handing over an appeal letter to Anwar via the Foreign Ministry. Hishamuddin also proposed the establishment of a special ASEAN task force to tackle the growing issue of human trafficking in the region. MHO also urged all affected countries to demonstrate full commitment by taking swift and decisive action to dismantle all known scam centres operating within their jurisdictions, he said. "These illicit operations must not be permitted to continue threatening the safety and welfare of Asean citizens," Hishamuddin said. Last November, Malaysia announced it would make human trafficking a key priority during its Asean chairmanship in 2025.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Humanitarian NGO demands answers over Gigamax arrests
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) has pressed police for an official update on the arrests of three suspects believed to be the main figures behind the Gigamax investment scam. The trio were reportedly detained at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on May 6. Despite the high-profile nature of the case, MHO said authorities have yet to issue a formal statement. "We have been given to understand that the suspects masterminded the Gigamax investment scheme, which saw local investors lose millions of ringgit," MHO secretary Hishamuddin Hashim was reported by Utusan Malaysia as saying during a press conference. Hishamuddin was referring to a Chinese daily report on May 9 which claimed the suspects had been taken to the Cheras police headquarters following their arrest. Hishamuddin said MHO submitted an official letter to federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department this morning to seek confirmation on the suspects' current status. "We would like to know whether the suspects are still being detained, have been freed on bail, or (the case has been) handed over to the Attorney-General's Chambers for prosecution," he said. He added that the letter represented 99 investors who collectively lost more than RM4.8 million in the scheme. Police investigations into Gigamax were triggered following confirmation from Bank Negara Malaysia that the scheme involved fraudulent activity. The case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. In an operation on Nov 13 last year, police arrested 11 people aged between 34 and 59, including two women, in multiple raids across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Melaka. One of the affected investors, 60-year-old Noraishah Muhammad, voiced her frustration over the lack of progress. "We want transparency. As victims, we have a right to the latest updates on the masterminds of the scheme," she said.
The Star
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Over 230 investors lodge complaints with Securities Commission against investment scheme, allege RM80mil in losses
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 232 individuals have a lodged a complaint with the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) against a scheme centred around Islamic Redeemable Preference Shares (IRPS). According to Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim, the scheme's managers promised high dividends to the investors, but the scheme failed to deliver returns amounting to RM80mil in losses for the victims. Speaking to reporters outside the SC headquarters, he noted that the scheme gained credibility through the involvement of prominent figures who held positions within the firms, leading many to believe the investment was legitimate. Hishamuddin said formal complaints have now been submitted to the SC, with MHO calling for a full investigation. - Bernama
Barnama
13-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
More Than 200 Investors Claim RM80 Mln Losses In Islamic Shares Scheme
KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (Bernama) – A total of 232 individuals claim combined losses of RM80 million after allegedly falling victim to a fraudulent investment scheme centred around Islamic Redeemable Preference Shares (IRPS). According to Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim, the scheme's managers promised high dividends to the investors, but the scheme failed to deliver returns. Speaking to reporters outside the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) headquarters, he noted that the scheme gained credibility through the involvement of prominent figures who held positions within the firms, leading many to believe the investment was legitimate. Hishamuddin said formal complaints have now been submitted to the SC, with MHO calling for a full investigation. Among the complainants is Lutfi Daud, 60, a retired airline employee who said he lost RM250,000, the entirety of his voluntary separation scheme (VSS) payout intended for his retirement. After receiving initial returns, Lutfi said he invested in 2022 and increased his stake in 2024. 'The returns were steady, so I asked my wife to join. But when the payouts started to stall, I got worried. All of my VSS money was tied up,' he said. He added that the financial hit has taken an emotional toll, as some friends and family have begun to look down on him. 'It's had a real impact, especially for a retiree like me who still has a child in school,' he said. Another investor, Abdullah Faizi, 30, who runs a kindergarten business, said he lost RM400,000. The losses, he said, had disrupted both his business and personal plans.
