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New Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
RCE Capital impairments to stay above RM30mil as civil servant bankruptcies rise
KUALA LUMPUR: RCE Capital Bhd's impairment provisions to stay above RM30 million in the financial year 2026 (FY26), as civil servant bankruptcies rise and the fallout from the "Op Sky" fraud probe continues to ripple through its loan book. CIMB Securities said while there are initial signs of moderation in impairment provisions, "management cautions it is too early to call a normalisation trend", adding that impairments in FY26 are likely to remain well above historical averages. The group's impairment losses surged to RM15 million in the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2025 (4QFY25), up 79.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter, bringing total impairment losses for the year sharply higher. The spike was attributed to increased financing disbursements, updated macro assumptions, and scam-related impairments linked to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's "Op Sky" investigation. The probe uncovered a syndicate that allegedly helped blacklisted civil servants obtain loans using forged documents. As of May 27, about RM1.96 million, or 0.1 per cent of RCE's financing portfolio, was identified as exposed and has been fully impaired. Adding to the pressure is the government's "second chance policy", which allows individuals to voluntarily declare bankruptcy in exchange for financial rehabilitation. Impairments related to bankruptcy jumped 115.2 per cent year-on-year in FY25. Consequently, CIMB Securities said RCE's non-performing financing (NPF) rose to RM95.5 million in 4QFY25, up 14.7 per cent from a year earlier, lifting its NPF ratio to 4.6 per cent, above its historical range. The firm has revised down its earnings forecasts for RCE by up to 6.1 per cent for FY26 to FY28 and lowered its dividend discount model-based target price to RM1 from RM1.23. The brokerage reiterated a "reduce" call on the stock. RCE has begun phasing out the use of the Accountant General's Department (AGD) as a salary deduction intermediary due to less favourable commercial terms, including a newly imposed five per cent profit rate cap on personal financing. Instead, the group will channel all new disbursements through its subsidiaries, Corewealth Alliance Dynamic Sdn Bhd and RCE Marketing Sdn Bhd, both of which use Angkasa's payroll deduction platform. "This transition enables RCE to retain a secure and efficient collection channel while redirecting some cost savings that were previously incurred as AGD's upfront fee. "It allows more flexible product offerings, such as competitive profit rates, cash rebates or value-added features," said CIMB Securities. RCE closed at RM1.18 on Monday, valuing the company at RM1.75 billion. The stock has declined 15.4 per cent over the past year and currently trades at a price-to-book ratio of two times, a premium to the sector average of one time. Looking ahead, the company expects a modest recovery in loan growth, supported by phased civil servant salary hikes introduced in December 2024 and January 2026. However, CIMB Securities cautioned that borrowing capacity among civil servants may already be stretched amid rising living costs and debt levels. "Coupled with intensifying competition from digital lenders like TnG Digital, Grab and Shopee, RCE's growth prospects remain constrained," it said.
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."
Borneo Post
22-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
MACC nears completion of forensic report on alleged Sabah corruption scandal
Azam Baki KUALA LUMPUR (April 22): The forensic analysis report on 10 new video recordings linked to an alleged corruption scandal involving several Sabah state assemblymen over mineral mining licensing is expected to be completed soon. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said a detailed analysis was currently being conducted on all 10 video recordings. 'I expect the report to be ready soon as the forensic team is carrying out a thorough examination of all 10 recordings,' he said at a press conference after attending the 11th Certified Integrity Officers Convocation 2025 at Dewan Tun Dr Ismail, World Trade Centre (WTC) today. He said eight individuals had so far been called to give their statements, including a new case involving allegations linking the Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya. Azam had earlier stated that MACC's forensic lab was analysing the 10 latest videos related to the case and he had instructed that the analysis be expedited. He said analysis of eight earlier videos revealed elements of enhancement, editing and other alterations, rendering them lacking in credibility as evidence and therefore inadmissible in court. According to Azam, the 10 new videos are longer in duration but must be reviewed for signs of editing, frame breaks, doctoring, and superimposition, with attention also paid to the accompanying audio. Last year, a news portal reported on several video recordings allegedly showing state assemblymen receiving hundreds of thousands of ringgit in exchange for supporting a company's project application in a state. On the progress of Op Sky, which involves a corruption and money laundering syndicate linked to bank officers and financial consultancy firms, Azam said the investigation papers would be submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor next week. 'The investigation papers for Op Sky have been completed and are being finalised. They are expected to be submitted to the DPP for review next week,' he said. In the Op Sky operation conducted in January, MACC successfully dismantled a corruption and money laundering ring involving financial consultancy firms and bank officers at several financial institutions. The operation, led by MACC's Anti-Money Laundering Division in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals in raids at 24 locations, including homes and offices in the Klang Valley. To date, 27 individuals have been arrested, comprising 18 bank officers, eight staff from the involved consultancy firms, and one member of the public. All were later released on MACC bail. During the operation, MACC seized about 4,000 documents and froze 98 bank accounts involving over RM17 million. – Bernama
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MACC close to completing Sabah graft forensic report
KUALA LUMPUR: The forensic analysis report on 10 new video recordings linked to an alleged corruption scandal involving several Sabah state assemblymen over mineral mining licensing is expected to be completed soon. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said a detailed analysis was currently being conducted on all 10 video recordings. 'I expect the report to be ready soon as the forensic team is carrying out a thorough examination of all 10 recordings,' he said at a press conference after attending the 11th Certified Integrity Officers Convocation 2025 at Dewan Tun Dr Ismail, World Trade Centre (WTC) here today. He said eight individuals had so far been called to give their statements, including a new case involving allegations linking the Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya. Azam had earlier stated that MACC's forensic lab was analysing the 10 latest videos related to the case and he had instructed that the analysis be expedited. He said analysis of eight earlier videos revealed elements of enhancement, editing and other alterations, rendering them lacking in credibility as evidence and therefore inadmissible in court. According to Azam, the 10 new videos are longer in duration but must be reviewed for signs of editing, frame breaks, doctoring, and superimposition, with attention also paid to the accompanying audio. Last year, a news portal reported on several video recordings allegedly showing state assemblymen receiving hundreds of thousands of ringgit in exchange for supporting a company's project application in a state. On the progress of Op Sky, which involves a corruption and money laundering syndicate linked to bank officers and financial consultancy firms, Azam said the investigation papers would be submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor next week. 'The investigation papers for Op Sky have been completed and are being finalised. They are expected to be submitted to the DPP for review next week,' he said. In the Op Sky operation conducted in January, MACC successfully dismantled a corruption and money laundering ring involving financial consultancy firms and bank officers at several financial institutions. The operation, led by MACC's Anti-Money Laundering Division in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals in raids at 24 locations, including homes and offices in the Klang Valley. To date, 27 individuals have been arrested, comprising 18 bank officers, eight staff from the involved consultancy firms, and one member of the public. All were later released on MACC bail. During the operation, MACC seized about 4,000 documents and froze 98 bank accounts involving over RM17 million.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MACC nears completion of forensic report on alleged Sabah corruption scandal
KUALA LUMPUR: The forensic analysis report on 10 new video recordings linked to an alleged corruption scandal involving several Sabah state assemblymen over mineral mining licensing is expected to be completed soon. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said a detailed analysis was currently being conducted on all 10 video recordings. 'I expect the report to be ready soon as the forensic team is carrying out a thorough examination of all 10 recordings,' he said at a press conference after attending the 11th Certified Integrity Officers Convocation 2025 at Dewan Tun Dr Ismail, World Trade Centre (WTC) here today. He said eight individuals had so far been called to give their statements, including a new case involving allegations linking the Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya. Azam had earlier stated that MACC's forensic lab was analysing the 10 latest videos related to the case and he had instructed that the analysis be expedited. He said analysis of eight earlier videos revealed elements of enhancement, editing and other alterations, rendering them lacking in credibility as evidence and therefore inadmissible in court. According to Azam, the 10 new videos are longer in duration but must be reviewed for signs of editing, frame breaks, doctoring, and superimposition, with attention also paid to the accompanying audio. Last year, a news portal reported on several video recordings allegedly showing state assemblymen receiving hundreds of thousands of ringgit in exchange for supporting a company's project application in a state. On the progress of Op Sky, which involves a corruption and money laundering syndicate linked to bank officers and financial consultancy firms, Azam said the investigation papers would be submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor next week. 'The investigation papers for Op Sky have been completed and are being finalised. They are expected to be submitted to the DPP for review next week,' he said. In the Op Sky operation conducted in January, MACC successfully dismantled a corruption and money laundering ring involving financial consultancy firms and bank officers at several financial institutions. The operation, led by MACC's Anti-Money Laundering Division in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals in raids at 24 locations, including homes and offices in the Klang Valley. To date, 27 individuals have been arrested, comprising 18 bank officers, eight staff from the involved consultancy firms, and one member of the public. All were later released on MACC bail. During the operation, MACC seized about 4,000 documents and froze 98 bank accounts involving over RM17 million.
