Latest news with #RM385
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Government executive loses RM385k EPF savings to online scam in Kuching
KUCHING: A government agency assistant executive in his 50s was cheated out of RM385,000 from his Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings in an online scam. The victim received a call from a fraudster posing as a police officer from the Penang Police Contingent Headquarters. Miri police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the scammer accused the victim of involvement in money laundering activities and claimed he was wanted by authorities. 'The suspect instructed the victim to withdraw his EPF savings and hand it over for investigation purposes,' he said in a statement. The victim only realised he had been deceived after being pressured for additional payments. Police are investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. – Bernama
Barnama
2 days ago
- Barnama
Government Agency Executive Loses RM385,000 In EPF Savings To Online Scam
KUCHING, July 29 (Bernama) -- An assistant executive of a government agency in his 50s lost RM385,000 to an online scam. Miri police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said, based on the victim's report, he had received a phone call from an unknown person who introduced himself as a police officer from the Penang Police Contingent Headquarters. "The suspect claimed that the victim was involved in money laundering activities and was wanted by the authorities.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Miri civil servant duped of RM385,000 in false money laundering claim
Photo for illustration purposes only. — Photo by Thallen Merlin/Pexels MIRI (July 29): A civil servant lost RM385,000 from his Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings to a scammer posing as a police officer, who accused him of money laundering. Miri police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the Commercial Crime Investigation Division here received a police report on the fraud case yesterday. He said the victim in his 50s, who works as an assistant executive at a government agency, received a call from an unknown individual, who introduced himself as a police officer from the Penang police headquarters. The suspect accused the victim of being involved in money laundering and claimed he was on the police's wanted list. 'The victim was instructed to withdraw funds from his EPF and hand it over to the police for investigation purposes. 'He only realised he had been deceived in an online scam involving impersonation of a police officer when he was asked to make another payment. He suffered a financial loss of RM385,000,' Mohd Farhan said in a statement today. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of between one year and 10 years in prison, caning, and a fine. Mohd Farhan advised the public to remain vigilant and to never disclose or provide any financial information to unknown callers. He said the public must always be cautious and take necessary precautions online, especially if the caller claims to be a friend, acquaintance, courier, law enforcement officer, or court official. 'If you have recently transferred funds to any bank account or e-wallet belonging to a suspect, you are advised to contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) on 997 immediately to report non-existent loans, love scams, e-commerce scams phone scams, and others,' he added. Telephone numbers and bank account details can also be verified through before making any financial transaction. lead Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah Scam call
New Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
MMA: Reforms urgent to stop doctor exodus amid Singapore job offers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to take immediate action to prevent a worsening brain drain among local medical professionals, following Singapore's move to hold a recruitment drive in the capital next month. Its president, Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira, said the recent aggressive recruitment campaign by Singapore, offering a highly attractive annual package of RM385,000 with accommodation and cost of living covered, could accelerate the exodus of Malaysian doctors. "While the MMA respects the rights of individuals to seek opportunities abroad, we urge the government to take serious note of the increasing consequences of such recruitment. "Although Singapore has long recruited Malaysian healthcare professionals, recent developments suggest an intensification of these efforts, likely driven by growing healthcare demands in the island nation," he said in a statement. Dr Kalwinder warned that the consequences for Malaysia's public healthcare system could be severe, especially as the country already faces critical shortages of healthcare workers, particularly in Sarawak and Sabah. "The loss of even more medical professionals to neighbouring countries like Singapore, as well as the UK, Australia and Ireland, will further strain our healthcare delivery," he said. Responding to a recent statement by Senator Dr R.A. Lingeshwaran, who raised concerns over Singapore's relaxed eligibility criteria and lucrative offer, Dr Kalwinder said it was imperative for Malaysia to immediately implement effective retention strategies. Among the MMA's top recommendations is for the government to abolish the contract system and return to offering permanent positions to all new doctors, as was practised in the past. "The contract system was introduced when there was a surge in new medical graduates and insufficient posts. "That is no longer the case. Now, there are enough positions for direct recruitment. "Job security must be restored to make the profession appealing again," he said. He also urged the government to fulfil its promise to increase on-call allowances, establish clear career pathways for specialisation, and amend policies to allow more doctors to undergo specialist training without the constraints of the Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan (HLP) programme. Other key reforms proposed include allowing reimbursement for travel and cargo costs for interstate transfers, particularly for those posted to East Malaysia. He said the government should also rectify the current disparity in regional incentive payments (Bayaran Insentif Wilayah) under the SSPA salary scheme, which has discouraged doctors from accepting transfers to Sabah and Sarawak. "Retaining our doctors must be treated as a national priority. "Any further delay in addressing these issues risks irreparable harm to the healthcare system and jeopardises services for the millions of Malaysians relying on public healthcare," said Dr Kalwinder. The Johor government yesterday expressed concern over the growing number of Malaysian public healthcare professionals, particularly doctors and nurses, being lured to Singapore with lucrative pay packages.
New Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Singapore's RM385k offer sparks brain drain fears
KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore's bold move to hold an open interview session in the capital next month to recruit Malaysian doctors may further exacerbate the nation's healthcare brain drain. Senator Dr R.A. Lingeshwaran said the highly attractive annual package of RM385,000 – inclusive of accommodation and other benefits – could hasten the exodus of Malaysian medical professionals abroad. "What is even more alarming is that the eligibility criteria have been relaxed. Malaysian medical graduates may now apply without having to sit for a qualifying examination as was previously required. Even the cost of living in Singapore, including rent, is covered. "This offer is especially tempting for our young doctors who are still trying to find their footing within the domestic system," he said in a statement. The issue came to light after HartalDoktorKontrak, a medical advocacy account on X, shared a promotional poster for a recruitment session aimed at medical officers and professionals. The session is scheduled to take place at a prominent hotel in Kuala Lumpur next month. Dr Lingeshwaran, who formerly served as director of Hospital Sungai Bakap in Penang, stressed that the government must urgently introduce comprehensive reforms to the national medical career ecosystem to prevent further loss of local talent to foreign markets. "I acknowledge that this is not a new issue. It has been embedded in the system for many years. However, I believe that under the current Madani government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the time is ripe for holistic reforms in the medical profession. "Many healthcare workers, from junior doctors to consultants, believe that this administration is more receptive and willing to listen. But these sentiments must be translated into immediate action – not mere rhetoric. "What has happened to the increases in on-call and specialist allowances announced in Budget 2025? We are already in July, and yet nothing has materialised. "This erodes trust in the system, especially when neighbouring countries are acting swiftly with competitive offers while we remain mired in bureaucracy and uncertainty," he said. Dr Lingeshwaran also said that nearly 40 per cent of graduates from the RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC) in Penang had chosen to complete their housemanship in Ireland or the United Kingdom, rather than serve in Malaysian public hospitals. RUMC – formerly known as Penang Medical College – is a branch campus of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and University College Dublin. It is recognised as a university by the Higher Education Ministry. "This is a clear sign that our young doctors are losing faith in the system. Statistics show that more than 6,400 medical officers resigned between 2019 and 2023. This is no longer a minor leak – it's a wave that threatens the resilience of our public healthcare system," said Dr Lingeshwaran. He said that the issue went beyond remuneration. "Young doctors seek certainty, support, and a secure future. Without urgent and structural reform, we risk losing even more high-quality professionals. "The time to act is now. We must demonstrate our appreciation for our doctors not just with words, but with action. Reform must be implemented – not delayed," he added.
