Latest news with #Hishamuddin
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
MACC urged to probe RM183mil investment scam
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) has urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate an investment scam with an estimated total loss of RM183 million. Its secretary-general, Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim, said this was necessary because more than 600 victims who filed reports with various authorities and agencies since 2023 had not seen any results. "To this day, there has been no prosecution from any agency, especially the Attorney-General's Chambers, on the reports they (the victims) made, even though they have submitted documents and evidence of the fraud to almost all the agencies. "They have reported it to the police, the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Bank Negara, and even the National Financial Crime Centre (NFCC). This shows that there is no other place left for them to report; they have reported it everywhere. "We do not deny that an investigation exists, but they feel regret because to this day, there has been no prosecution against the suspects or the 'mastermind' who caused them to lose their retirement money," he said. He was speaking to the media in front of the MACC Headquarters today, alongside the victims of the scam. Hishamuddin added that the MACC was the last resort for the victims, most of whom are senior citizens, and they hope that an investigation paper for this case can be opened under Section 18 of the MACC Act. He also explained that the relationship between the investment company and the clients was similar to that of a principal and an agent. The investors, acting as the principal, had provided funds to the investment company, which was the agent. They believe the company, as an agent, used its position to deceive them with false documents and statements.
Borneo Post
24-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Family seeks answers from JHEANS over Native Court's asset transfer decision
Hishamuddin (centre) with MHO Sabah operational officer Captain (R) Jerry Jaimeh (second from right) and the affected family members. KOTA KINABALU (July 24): Family members of the late owner of a transport company that has been operating in Sabah since 1999 are demanding an explanation from the Sabah Native Affairs Department (JHEANS) over a Native Court decision that allegedly allowed the transfer of ownership of company assets without going through the civil court process. The heirs — siblings of the deceased who passed away in 2020 — claimed they were unaware that ownership of the assets, including company shares, had been fully transferred to the deceased's wife. According to a family representative, Thien, 73, the family only discovered the transfer after receiving a letter of confirmation from the Native Court in 2021 stating that all assets had been placed under the name of the widow. 'The company was built by five siblings in 1999. Each of us played a role — three of us were bus drivers, some worked as mechanics, and my late brother was the manager. We trusted him to handle the administration,' said Thien when met at the Malaysian Humanitarian International Organisation (MHO) office in Asia City today. 'Our efforts over the past 30 years now feel meaningless, as everything has been taken over. We were not aware of the ownership change until the letter came. None of us are listed as nominees anymore.' Thien said the family had attempted to seek legal assistance over the past four years but had yet to find a solution. 'We've spoken to several lawyers but found no clear resolution. That's why we turned to MHO for guidance and support.' MHO Secretary-General Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said the organisation is stepping in to help the family resolve the issue and obtain official clarification from JHEANS and the Native Court. 'We are urging JHEANS to review the Native Court's decision. This is a fundamental matter concerning jurisdiction, not just a family dispute,' Hishamuddin said. He noted that the court order appears to involve shares in a company where the heirs were also key contributors and workers but are now excluded from any returns. Citing legal provisions, Hishamuddin said the Native Court's powers are clearly defined and limited under the Sabah Native Court Ordinance 1967 and the Sabah Native Court Enactment 1992. 'Section 5 of the Ordinance limits the Native Court's jurisdiction to matters concerning native customs — such as customary property, marriages, and customary inheritance. Similarly, Section 6 of the 1992 Enactment defines its authority strictly around indigenous customs and personal matters,' he explained. MHO has already sent a letter to JHEANS two weeks ago requesting clarification but has yet to receive a response. 'We hope to receive a reply soon. If not, we will continue pursuing clarification from the relevant parties to ensure the family gets the answers they deserve,' said Hishamuddin.
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Man tortured, nearly shot by Cambodia scam syndicate
SEPANG: A young man's dream of securing a high-paying job in Cambodia turned into a nightmare when he was forced to work as a phone scammer. His ordeal worsened when he was tortured and sold to another syndicate after refusing to take part in the scams out of guilt. The 25-year-old victim, who requested anonymity, was eventually rescued thanks to the efforts of the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), with the assistance of the Malaysian Embassy in Cambodia and local authorities. He returned to Malaysia at midnight via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and revealed that he had nearly been shot for refusing to carry out the fraudulent work. "I was tortured. Then I was sold to another company and almost shot by my boss. My friend was shot in the leg with live ammunition. "They were about to move me when, just in time, Cambodian police raided the place," he said upon arriving at KLIA Terminal 2. Also present were MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim and the victim's mother, Anida Ponirin, 49. The man said that before taking the job offer, he had been working as a bodyguard in Malaysia. He was offered a position in Cambodia by a friend, promising a salary of USD5,000, but upon arrival, his phone and passport were confiscated. To make matters worse, the man from Jengka, Pahang, said his fiancée also fell victim to the same syndicate and was beaten by its members. "My fiancée was beaten badly — she had bruises all over her body. No one could help us. "Before I was rescued, I lost contact with her because she had been moved to a different camp." He urged Malaysians not to fall for overseas job offers, including jobs as bodyguards or offers involving loans, to avoid falling into similar traps. His mother expressed gratitude for her son's safe return and thanked all parties involved in the rescue, hoping other families won't have to endure the same ordeal. Hishamuddin said that when Anida contacted MHO for help, she was advised to file a police report. The organisation then coordinated with the Malaysian Embassy in Cambodia, which worked with local authorities to rescue the victim. When asked about the fate of the victim's fiancée, Hishamuddin said efforts were underway to rescue her from the syndicate.
Malaysiakini
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Bukit Aman summons Hishamuddin over anti-graft rally
Activist and writer Hishamuddin Rais has been summoned to Bukit Aman over his participation in Saturday's Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah rally in Kuala Lumpur. According to a short message received from Hishamuddin, the prominent reformasi figure said he received a call from the federal police headquarters earlier today and was told to...
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Op Sky: MHO calls for wider probe into RM8.47mil civil servant investment scam
KUALA Lumpur: The Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) has called for a cross-agency investigation into a financial investment syndicate that allegedly deceived civil servants through a scheme known as "Refresh and Reload". The case is being investigated as part of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) Op Sky, launched earlier this year, which involves a syndicate accused of corruption and money laundering. This syndicate was reportedly run by a financial consultancy company in collaboration with several bank officers. MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said the organisation is representing 24 complainants, comprising doctors, teachers and administrators, who collectively suffered losses amounting to RM8.47 million. He said the scheme promised debt settlement services, including clearing borrowers' CCRIS (Central Credit Reference Information System) records, and offered the possibility of applying for loans from four financial institutions simultaneously. "The scheme was operated by two private companies together with a registered association that introduced themselves as financial consultants and former bank officers during closed-door briefings for selected civil servants. "They came with complete documentation and spoke under the name of a financial management organisation. "The desperate victims believed this was a legitimate solution to their mounting debts," he said at a press conference today. Hishamuddin said the victims were guided to simultaneously apply for loans from four banks and added to WhatsApp groups managed by scheme agents who trained them on how to communicate with bank representatives. "Once the loans were approved, the victims were instructed to transfer the funds to the syndicate's account under the pretext of settling existing debts, paying company fees and reinvesting the money to generate monthly loan repayments. "However, after payments were made, the company failed to deliver on its promises, leaving victims burdened with increased financial obligations and legal action from the banks," he said. He said some victims were forced to repay as much as RM12,000 monthly despite earning around RM6,000, while others have received bankruptcy notices. "They were systematically deceived. "Hidden deductions of up to 40 per cent were made without prior explanation, and some were even charged an additional RM10,000 for a so-called vehicle ownership scheme," he said. Hishamuddin said the MACC had previously investigated the matter under Section 23 of the MACC Act, but MHO believes this is insufficient. The MACC had earlier revealed the syndicate's modus operandi, involving simultaneous applications for multiple high-value personal loans backed by fraudulent representations made by financial consultants. Emerging during the Covid-19 pandemic, the syndicate reportedly targeted debt-laden civil servants desperate for financial relief, luring them with promises of credit recovery and short-term investment opportunities. The MACC reported that loans amounting to RM700 million were approved for participants of the scheme, with over RM22 million frozen across 98 companies and individual accounts. As a result, many civil servants are said to be experiencing severe financial stress, some blacklisted by financial institutions and others having received bankruptcy notices. Hishamuddin said the case contains multiple criminal elements and investigations should be expanded to include Sections 420, 403 and 405 of the Penal Code, covering fraud, criminal breach of trust and misappropriation. "Collecting investment funds without an approved prospectus from the Securities Commission violates the Capital Markets and Services Act and the Financial Services Act for unlicensed deposit-taking. "In addition, the fixed-payment vehicle ownership scheme offered to participants was not registered with the Registrar of Interest Schemes as required under Section 3(2) of the Interest Schemes Act."
