Latest news with #RM3.1mil
The Star
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
RM3.1mil lost to online ‘investment' scheme
SEREMBAN: A 51-year-old man has been scammed of RM3.1mil after he invested in a non-existent online scheme which promised unusually high returns. District OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Hatta Che Din said the victim, a private-sector employee, was duped into investing in communications, industrial and petroleum-related shares of companies purportedly operating in China. 'The scammers got in touch with the man on WhatsApp and he was then added into a group. 'He was asked to register in another application so that he could check his so-called profits in real time,' he said in a statement. ACP Mohamad Hatta said the man, who was by then convinced that the investments would give him high returns, started investing on Dec 17 last year. He transferred the cash into four accounts belonging to companies via 34 transactions. 'After making the initial investments, he saw his profits soar. 'But when he tried to make a withdrawal, he was asked to make various payments before these were released to him.' ACP Mohamad Hatta said the man finally realised that he had been cheated and lodged a report on April 17. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. The offence carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction. He advised those planning to make online investments, especially schemes that offered unusually high returns, to check with authorities such as Bank Negara or the Securities Commission before investing. The public can also call the police's CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559 or 03-2610 1599 for additional information.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Man, 51, cheated of RM3.1mil in online investment scam
SEREMBAN: A 51-year-old man has been scammed of some RM3.1mil after he invested in a non-existent online investment scheme, which promised unusually high returns. District OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Hatta Che Din said the victim, a private sector employee, was duped into investing in communications, industrial and petroleum-related shares of companies purportedly operating in China. "The scammers got in touch with the victim via WhatsApp and he was then added into a group. "He was also asked to register in another application so that he will be able to see his so-called profits in real time," he said in a statement. ACP Mohamad Hatta said the victim, who was by then convinced that the investments would give him high returns, started investing on Dec 17 last year. He transferred the cash into four accounts belonging to companies and businesses via 34 transactions. "After making the initial investments, he saw his profits soar. "But when he tried to make a withdrawal, he was asked to make various payments before these were released to him," he said. ACP Mohamad Hatta said the victim finally realised that he had been cheated and lodged a report on April 17. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. The offence carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction. He advised those planning to make online investments, especially schemes that offered unusually high returns, to check with the authorities such as Bank Negara or the Securities Commission before investing. The public can also call the police's CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559 or 03-2610 1599 for additional information.
The Star
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Replacing undersea pipeline to Langkawi could cost billions, Kedah state assembly told
ALOR SETAR: The cost of replacing the entire undersea pipeline supplying water from the mainland to Langkawi Island could run into the billions of ringgit, the Kedah state assembly was told on Wednesday (April 23). State public works, natural resources, water supply, water resources and environment comittee chairman Mohamad Yusuf @ Munir Zakaria, said that due to the prohibitive cost, only repair work is being carried out on the damaged sections. "For now, we're allocating RM50mil with RM10mil for consultancy services and the remaining RM40mil for repair works," he said. He was responding to a supplementary question from Teh Swee Leong (PH-Kota Darul Aman), who had asked about the estimated cost of replacing the entire undersea pipeline to Langkawi. Mohamad Yusuf added that since Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada) took over the Taliworks Langkawi concession on Nov 1, 2020, 42 new leaks have been repaired using underwater clamp methods, with the total cost for both new and existing leak inspections and repairs amounting to RM3.1mil. He also said that pipe inspection and repair works are currently carried out every two weeks, depending on weather and sea conditions. Mohamad Yusuf said Sada will also undertake a dedicated undersea pipeline repair project to enhance the stability of treated water supply to Langkawi. Now in its final procurement stage, it is scheduled to begin in August and expected to be completed by February next year. He also revealed that the highest recorded non-revenue water loss stood at 55%, equivalent to 33 million litres per day, out of a total output of 60 million litres per day from the Sungai Baru Water Treatment Plant. "Following repairs, the water loss rate has been reduced to 27%, or 16 million litres per day, " he said. The nearly 30-year-old 36km undersea pipeline transports treated water from the Sungai Baru plant in Perlis to Langkawi. — Bernama
The Star
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
‘Manjung seabed mining claims untrue'
IPOH: The Perak state government has refuted claims of seabed tin mining along the coast of the Sungai Batu estuary in Manjung after local fishermen raised their concerns. During the state assembly winding-up speech yesterday, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic) clarified that checks with the relevant authorities confirmed that no approvals had been granted for such activities. 'The Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia has confirmed that no Mining Operation Scheme Approval Letter has been issued. 'Any mining can only proceed with this official approval.' Saarani said although a mining application has been submitted, it remains under review by the department, and no operational licence has been granted so far. Saarani explained that the only ongoing activity in the area is silica sand mining carried out by a developer with valid approval. He said the sand mining site is located about 5km from the turtle nesting grounds at Pantai Pasir Panjang. Saarani also highlighted that the amended Manjung District Local Plan 2030 classifies the coastal zone as a Level 3 Environmentally Sensitive Area, which prohibits mining to protect marine life. 'This reflects the state government's commitment to safeguarding the environment and the livelihoods of local fishing communities. 'We will continue to monitor the area and will take immediate action against any unauthorised mining operations,' he said. Back in February, over 1,500 fishermen had called on the authorities to cancel what they believed was an approved seabed mining project along the Manjung coastline. During his speech, Saarani also defended the appointment of 26 special officers in opposition-held constituencies, saying the move should not cause any concern for those on the other side of the political divide. He said the opposition claimed that the RM10,000 monthly allowance per officer, totalling over RM3.1mil annually, is an unnecessary burden on the state. He also dismissed opposition claims of bias and misuse of public funds, noting that each officer receives a RM10,000 monthly allowance, similar to practices in states like Kedah and Kelantan. 'The policy (coordinators known at the time) was first approved in 2018 under then-MB Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, but I chose not to implement it immediately when I took office in 2020. 'The appointments aim to address service gaps and unresolved local issues, especially in opposition areas,' he said. Saarani also pointed out that opposition assemblymen in Perak receive RM10,000 monthly each as their service centre allowance, more than their counterparts in other states. 'So do not accuse me of being unjust,' he added.
The Star
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Perak MB tells opposition not to be perturbed by special officer appointments
IPOH: The opposition should not be perturbed by the appointment of 26 special officers serving in opposition-held constituencies in Perak, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. During his winding-up speech at the Perak state assembly sitting on Tuesday (April 22), Saarani defended the appointment of the 26 officers, stating that the move is not about seizing political control but about fulfilling the state government's responsibility to serve people without discrimination. He addressed criticism from opposition lawmakers, including accusations of power abuse, wastage of public funds, and political interference. 'Some have labelled me a biased Mentri Besar, some even portrayed me as wanting to sideline opposition representatives. 'Opposition representatives, including those from Changkat Jong, Manjoi, and Chandan, had earlier questioned the financial justification behind the appointments. 'They claimed the RM10,000 monthly allowance per officer, totalling over RM3.1mil annually, was an unnecessary burden on state funds,' he said. Saarani rebutted this, pointing out that similar practices exist in other states like Kedah and Kelantan, where coordinators are appointed to serve constituencies held by the opposition parties. 'If the RM10,000 allowance is considered a waste, are we also saying that the same roles in other states are wasteful too?' he asked. Saarani also reminded the assembly that the practice of appointing coordinators was first approved in 2018, when the now Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu was the Mentri Besar. Saarani added that upon taking office in 2020, he was presented with the option to implement the policy (to appoint coordinators) but chose not to do so at the time. 'If I were power-hungry, I would have acted on it four years ago. But I chose not to, because I did not want to act rashly. 'The ongoing feedback from the ground showed that many local issues remained unresolved, and government outreach was limited in some areas, especially opposition-held ones. 'The appointment of Special Officers, he said, is meant to address that gap,' he added. The Mentri Besar also dismissed claims that the move was politically motivated, citing examples of opposition lawmakers in Perak receiving more generous service centre allowances than their counterparts in other states. He said, as for the method of allocation, whether through service centre aid or development programme funding, the format is not all that different. 'So do not accuse me of being unjust. If the issue at hand is justice, then let us be clear about what exactly is the justice we are demanding.. Is it about the total development allocation? Or does justice mean the funds must be channelled directly through opposition assemblymen? 'If that is the logic, then opposition representatives in Perak are actually better off because while opposition assemblymen in Perak receive a service centre allocation of RM10,000 a month, their counterparts in other states receive only RM2,000 monthly,' he added
