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Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Scammers using AI to fake my voice and image, says Guan Eng
Former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng (right) and Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng showing the fake video recording on their phones. GEORGE TOWN : Former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng has warned the public about a fake video circulating online that uses artificial intelligence to mimic his voice and image in an apparent investment scam. Lim, who is also the Air Putih assemblyman, said the video falsely shows him endorsing an investment scheme. He said the video is fake and generated using AI. 'I want to be absolutely clear, I have never asked anyone to invest in anything. I'm not in business; I'm in politics,' he said at an event in Air Putih today. The manipulated video is believed to be based on an interview Lim gave over a decade ago. The original recording was in English, but the fake version is in Mandarin. 'That alone is a red flag,' Lim said, noting that the other speaker in the video, Penang Institute executive director Ooi Kee Beng, does not speak Mandarin. 'They took an old clip, altered it to look new, and changed the language.' Lim said the matter had been reported to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. He urged the public not to believe unsolicited investment messages or videos circulating on platforms like WhatsApp. Lim said this case highlights the urgent need for public education on AI-generated deepfakes and online scams. He said scammers are intentionally using trusted public figures to deceive victims as this is at least the fifth time digitally altered videos of him have been produced. 'The early attempts were clearly fake, but this one is more convincing. It's dangerous, especially for the elderly or those who trust me as a public figure,' he said. 'They (scammers) exploit public trust. That's why I need to speak up, to stop people from falling for these scams. 'Always verify with official sources. Refer to my verified statements. I will never ask anyone to invest in anything.'
Malay Mail
20-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Six-month bonus for what? Penang reps denounce PDC over RM6.7m payout amid budget deficit
GEORGE TOWN, 20 May — Several Penang backbenchers have questioned the rationale behind a six-month bonus for staff of the state-owned Penang Development Corporation (PDC), particularly given the state's deficit budget. Joseph Ng Soon Siang (DAP-Air Itam), Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Air Putih), and Lee Khai Loon (PKR-Machang Bubuk) sought explanations during their respective debates at the state legislative assembly yesterday and today regarding the approval of the bonus. Ng argued that while the state government is facing financial constraints, PDC opted to announce the large bonus for its staff instead of potentially using funds to pay off debts owed to the government and banks. 'PDC is not a private company as it is a GLC with assistance from the state and federal government in terms of land acquisition and loans,' he said. Lim said the six-month bonus announced for PDC staff was reportedly the highest of all government agencies. 'Who is receiving this six-month bonus?' he asked, noting that the total bonus payout was RM6.7 million. He argued that if the bonuses were clearly justified, they would not have become such a hotly discussed topic among civil servants. Lim also raised concerns about controversies involving PDC, such as the five-year delay in the expansion of Jalan Perusahaan to Jalan Tok Kangar in Central Seberang Perai. 'The project, costing RM21.6 million, was supposed to be completed by 2021 but is now expected to be finished at the end of 2026,' he said. He also brought up the Ladang Byram/Changkat issue, involving 559 acres of land initially sold through direct negotiations to UMECH Construction Sdn Bhd for RM646 million. Referencing the state's financial situation, Lim pointed out the need for a RM100 million advance from the federal government. 'The state must explain why its financial situation has worsened, where RM1.15 billion in its consolidated revenue accounts in 2019 had dropped by RM1.1 billion by the end of 2024,' he urged, asking for a detailed breakdown of expenditures that led to consecutive deficits between 2019 and 2024. Lee questioned whether the PDC staff bonus is contractual or a recent development, and asked how the amount was decided. He noted that 54 per cent of PDC's revenue is derived from land sales, while 22 per cent comes from profits on investment sales. 'Aren't these state lands? If so, shouldn't the revenue from their sale be returned to the state government and not distributed as bonuses to PDC staff?' Lee queried. Another backbencher, Gooi Hsiao-Leung (PKR-Bukit Tengah), also expressed concerns about the state's fiscal deficit, which he said has persisted for 13 consecutive years. 'Our consolidated funds have also declined from RM2.2 billion in 2022 and RM2.1 billion in 2019 to a mere RM199 million as of May this year,' Gooi said, calling the situation unsustainable. 'We are asking for a new fiscal framework to be formulated in the 13th Malaysia Plan that reflects respect for Penang's role, recognition of our constraints, and responsibility from the federal government,' he proposed. Gooi suggested that the federal government provide a share of Sales and Service Tax (SST) revenue, introduce a new formula-based equalisation grant for all states, implement transparent fiscal transfer mechanisms, and offer incentive grants for high-performing states.
Free Malaysia Today
19-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
DAP man slams PDC bonuses amid Penang's ‘financial woes'
DAP's Air Itam assemblyman, Joseph Ng, said the officers and staff of PDC are not private sector workers 'who can share the company's revenue among themselves'. (Facebook pic) GEORGE TOWN : A backbencher has taken the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to task for giving up to six months' bonuses to its staff earlier this year. Joseph Ng (PH-Air Itam) said the decision to provide bonuses was ill-timed, given the state's ongoing financial woes. While Ng did not go into specifics, former chief minister Lim Guan Eng had expressed concern last year over Penang's financial health, following a drastic reduction in the state's bank balance, which plummeted by RM825 million over the past four years. Ng said the bonuses would also be unfair as they would create a divide between PDC staff and other civil servants, whose departments are enduring budget cuts this year and 'got only modest year-end BKK (Bantuan Khas Kewangan) payments'. 'The officers and staff of PDC are not private sector workers who can share the company's revenue among themselves. PDC is a state government agency,' he said during the debate on the motion of thanks to the governor in the state assembly today. On Feb 9, the PDC's CEO, Aziz Bakar, revealed that 396 staff would receive bonuses ranging from one to six months, based on their performances, after recording over RM500 million in profits for 2024, the highest in the corporation's history since its establishment in 1969. About 10% of the staff would receive the full six-month payout, PDC was reported to have said. Ng said there was no justification for the bonuses as PDC and its subsidiaries still owed money to the state and banks. 'I believe that PDC should prioritise settling its debts to the state before it declares profits and distributes six-month bonuses to its staff,' he said. Citing a written reply, he said that between 2018 and 2025, PDC was reported to have disbursed over RM41.5 million in bonuses and special payments, including the annual BKK given to state civil servants. Ng said PDC's profits were not all self-earned, as the agency benefitted from state land deals, soft loans, and development privileges. He also said the reported 'strong profits' in property development are not exceptional or impressive. 'Without this backing from government agencies, it would have been nearly impossible for PDC to achieve such profits,' he said. 'The state government is currently in a tight financial position, so I would like an explanation from the government on this.'
