Latest news with #RM147
Barnama
07-08-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Business Events Instrumental To Achieve Tourism Targets Under 13MP -- Ahmad Zahid
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Business events will be instrumental for Malaysia to achieve its targets of 35.6 million tourist arrivals and RM147 billion in total receipts during Visit Malaysia Year 2026, as well as a 16 per cent contribution to gross domestic product from the tourism sector during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) period. In saying this, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi pointed out that business delegates are high-value travellers, as they stay longer, spend more, make repeat visits, and often return with their families. 'More importantly, business travellers bring with them ideas, investments, and influence,' he said in his opening speech at the Business Events Awards Gala Dinner here today. According to him, the tourism sector is also resurgent and remains a key national priority. 'In 2024 alone, foreign tourist expenditure surged to RM102.2 billion, a strong indicator that Malaysia's appeal is not only intact, it is expanding,' Ahmad Zahid said. Over the past decade, Malaysia has hosted more than 3,000 business events, drawing over a million delegates and generating an estimated RM18 billion in economic impact. Ahmad Zahid said the government recognises the business events industry as a strategic engine for inclusive, sustainable and high-impact growth. He said the government is taking concrete steps by streamlining visa facilitation, especially for high-frequency travellers, and upgrading major airports and convention venues to meet global standards. In addition, he said, it is looking at deepening inter-agency collaboration, especially between the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS); the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry; and the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.
Daily Express
12-06-2025
- Daily Express
False claims: Jail, fine for ex-Rela officer
Published on: Thursday, June 12, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 12, 2025 By: Cynthia D Baga Text Size: Venantius (left) being escorted by the MACC personnel after the proceedings. Kota Kinabalu: A former Rela officer from Tenom who told the court that he submitted the false claims for the assignment allowances during the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) as he wanted to help the Tenom Rela personnel whose income was affected at that time, was jailed 14 days and fined a total of RM147,160 for seven counts of submitting false claims. Venantius Masingga, 63, said this in mitigation after he pleaded guilty to the charges against him before Sessions Court Judge Jason Juga, on Wednesday. Advertisement He told the court that the money which he obtained using the fake claims were not for his personal use but to buy food baskets for the Tenom Rela personnel affected by the implementation of MCO at that time. According to Venantius, he did not mean to commit the offence but forced to do so to help the Rela personnel. Originally, Venantius have 18 charges against him but he only pleaded guilty to the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth charges while the rest were taken into consideration by court in accordance with Section 171A of the Criminal Procedure Code. The sentences imposed on Venantius as follows: Second count – two days' jail and fined RM16,160 in default three months' jail. Third count – two days' jail and fined RM27,680 in default three months' jail. Fourth count - two days' jail and fined RM24,400 in default three months' jail. Fifth count - two days' jail and fined RM21,240 in default three months' jail. Sixth count - two days' jail and fined RM19,200 in default three months' jail. Seventh count - two days' jail and fined RM18,640 in default three months' jail. Eight count - two days' jail and fined RM19,840 in default three months' jail. The court ordered Venantius to serve the jail sentences concurrently. Venantius did not pay the fines. The charges stated that Venantius had submitted the MCO assignment allowance claims under the names of his wife and children who actually never performed their duties during the MCO with the intention of deceiving the Director of Rela Sabah. He committed the offence between March 2020 and August 2021 at the Rela Sabah Headquarters. The offence under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which is punishable under Section 24(2) of the same Act provides for a jail term of up to 20 years, or a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. In mitigation, Venantius who was not represented, asked for leniency saying that it was his first offence and very remorseful as well and promised not to repeat the offence in future. He added that he was suffering from hypertension and that he has two small and schoolchildren to look after. Venantius also told the court that he had served 20 years as army, 20 years as Rela personnel and six years being a coach for National Service Training Programme (PLKN). 'I will get ready to do community service if the court orders so,' said Venantius. However, MACC Prosecuting Officer Rekhraj Singh urged the court to hand down an appropriate sentence taking into consideration the rampancy of the case as well as seriousness of the offence. Rekhraj submitted that as Rela personnel, Venantius should be a good example to the community and that the sentence should be a lesson not only to Venantius but others. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
11-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Ex-RELA officer jailed, fined RM147,160 for submitting false MCO allowance claims
Venantius (left) leaving the courtroom after his sentencing on Wednesday. KOTA KINABALU (June 11): A former RELA officer was sentenced to 16 days in jail and fined a total of RM147,160 by a Sessions Court here on Wednesday for seven counts of submitting false claims for allowances during assignments made during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. Judge Jason Juga ordered 63-year-old Venantius Masingga to serve all his jail terms concurrently. Although he was sentenced to two days' imprisonment for each of the seven charges, the concurrent nature of the sentences means he will only serve two days behind bars. However, it was learnt that Venantius could not afford to pay the fines. He was fined between RM16,160 and RM27,680 for each offence. In default of payment, he faces three months' imprisonment for each charge, amounting to a total of 21 months. The charges involved false allowance claims submitted between March 2020 and August 2021. The court also ordered the return of Venantius' passport and a refund of his bail. In mitigation, the unrepresented Venantius pleaded for a lenient sentence, stating that the money obtained was used to buy food for other RELA personnel whose income was affected by the MCO. In response, the prosecution requested a sentence that would serve as a deterrent, though they acknowledged that Venantius had saved the court's time by pleading guilty. Previously, on March 14, Venantius had claimed trial to 18 similar charges. The court took the remaining 11 charges into consideration under Section 171A of the Criminal Procedure Code.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Ex-Rela officer jailed, fined RM147,160 over false MCO claims
KOTA KINABALU: A former People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) officer from Tenom was sentenced to 14 days' jail and fined RM147,160 by the Sessions Court here today for submitting false assignment allowance claims during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. Venantius Masingga, 63, also faces 21 months' jail if he fails to pay the fine. Venantius, who pleaded guilty to seven charges, told judge Jason Juga that the money was not for his personal use but to buy food baskets for the Tenom Rela personnel affected by the MCO at the time. "I had no intention to commit this offence, but I was compelled to do so to help Reka members," he said. He also claimed to have served as a soldier for 22 years and as a National Service Training Programme instructor for six years. The court imposed two days' jail and fines ranging from RM16,160 to RM27,680 or three months' imprisonment, for each charge. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning Venantius will serve only two days in jail. He did not pay the fine. According to the charge sheet, Venantius submitted MCO allowance claims under the names of his wife and children, who never performed duties during the MCO, with the intention of deceiving the Sabah Rela director. He committed the offences between April and October 2020 at the Sabah Rela headquarters. The charges fall under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(2) of the same Act, which carries a maximum 20 years' jail and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher. According to the facts of the case, Venantius served as the Tenom District Rela officer from 2016 to May 2022. During the MCO, as the officer verifying claims, he listed the names of his wife and daughter in documents. The total sum for the seven charges amounted to RM29,432, credited into their bank accounts for his family's use. He was arrested by MACC officers on March 10, 2025. In mitigation, Venantius, who was unrepresented, pleaded for leniency, saying it was his first offence and that he had repented. He told the court that he could not afford a lawyer and was the sole breadwinner for his family, which includes schoolgoing children. "My wife is also unwell, and I am responsible for my elderly mother. I still have outstanding debts with banks and Tekun (the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund)." MACC prosecutor Rekhraj Singh urged the court to impose a sentence that would serve as a deterrent to the accused and the public. Venantius had initially claimed trial to 18 charges involving false claims amounting to over RM63,000 between March 2020 and August 2021 at the same location. The remaining 11 charges were taken into consideration (TIC) under Section 171A of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Daily Express
11-06-2025
- Daily Express
Ex-Rela man admits to fake MCO claims, says it was to help others
Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 Text Size: Venantius (left) is escorted out of the court. KOTA KINABALU: A former Rela officer from Tenom was sentenced to 14 days' jail and fined RM147,160 for submitting seven false claims during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. Venantius Masingga, 63, pleaded guilty before Sessions Court Judge Jason Juga and claimed during mitigation that the money was used to buy food baskets for fellow Rela members affected by the MCO. Advertisement He admitted to using the names of his wife and children - who did not perform any duties - to claim assignment allowances between March 2020 and August 2021. Although originally facing 18 charges, Venantius only pleaded guilty to seven, with the remaining charges taken into account under Section 171A of the Criminal Procedure Code. The court ordered the jail terms to run concurrently, and Venantius, who was unrepresented and did not pay the fine, expressed remorse and offered to perform community service. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
