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New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Of scam ads and social media
ONLINE scams have grown to be a global business empire, tempting The Economist to label it "Scam Inc". Different scammers, different scams, but they are united in one purpose: to cheat others of their money. In Malaysia, romance scams used to be a regular occurrence. Of late, investment scams have replaced love scams. According to the Scam Report 2024, Malaysia lost RM54 billion to scams, of which RM13 billion was from fraudulent investment schemes. If in the beginning investment scammers relied on emails, phone calls and text messages, today they have advanced to deepfakes, the use of fake audios or videos to trick victims into believing them to be real. No thanks to artificial intelligence, even the most tech-savvy find it hard to tell the difference between the two. Just as romance scammers are doing. And they all play out on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok and YouTube. Of these, Telegram is popular among scammers targeting Amanah Saham investors. When asked by a "potential investor", one of the scammers put it thus: "Place RM1,000 and in two to three hours you will make RM32,000." One needn't be discerning to spot the financial nonsense. As the conversation continues, a string of messages appear saying they have made this much and that much, suspiciously echoing the scammer. Scam Inc indeed. If social media platforms are the common denominator, then that is where the solution to the problem of investment scams is. But how? One way is for social media platforms to take down such fraudulent ads and scams. Tech titans have gone public by saying that they are taking down fake posts and ads. But countries around the world think it is not robust enough. Because of this, the European Union and the United Kingdom have taken the legal route to tackle the issue. But Ireland, seeing the existing EU laws as insufficient, is proposing that the EU make Big Tech bear responsibility for scam ads. Good idea, but a difficult one to implement, given that Washington is pushing Brussels to go light on its regulations against Silicon Valley. According to the Financial Times, the proposal by the Irish Finance Ministry is gaining traction. The interesting thing about the Irish idea is that it is not after the content of the ads, but the advertisers. Ireland and 14 others which support the proposal want social media platforms to only post ads from authorised financial service providers. Makes sense. There is a reason for the Irish rush to get the amendment passed. If the Financial Times is right, 75 per cent of the Bank of Ireland's customers have lost their money to investment scams. Being the country's biggest bank, that must add up to a humongous sum. Unlike the EU and the UK, Malaysia doesn't have the muscle to enforce such a legal regime. But it is not without an option. Malaysia can, like the EU, act as a bloc through Asean. But reaching consensus among the 10 members would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Given the state of the world, Asean has no choice but to find the needle.


Daily Express
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Malaysia-China Friendship Run offers attractive prizes, community spirit
Published on: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 14, 2025 Text Size: Malaysia-China Friendship Association of Sabah Deputy Executive President and Secretary-General Steven Liaw (front, third left) and organising chairman Michael Lim (middle) with the committee members. KOTA KINABALU: The 2025 Malaysia-China Friendship Run will take place on 27 July at Padang Merdeka, offering a vibrant morning of fitness and unity. Organised by the Malaysia-China Friendship Association of Sabah, the annual event continues to receive strong backing from community leaders, local businesses, and running enthusiasts. The 7-kilometre route begins at 6am, leading participants from Padang Merdeka to the Likas Bay City Mosque roundabout and back. Main sponsor Skechers returns with race packs that include a T-shirt, eco bag, discount voucher, medal, and entry to lucky draws worth RM60,000. The top draw prize is a year-long running shoe package worth RM5,508, with 349 other cash prizes totalling RM54,500 up for grabs. For further details and registration, contact the organising team at 016-8304020, 012-8332282, 016-8363960, or 012-8060944, or email [email protected]. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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


The Sun
08-05-2025
- The Sun
Kelantan KPDN seizes six vehicles, over RM54,000 worth of petrol
KOTA BHARU: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) of Kelantan foiled two attempts to smuggle subsidised petrol to a neighbouring country when it seized six vehicles and petrol worth over RM54,000 in two separate operations in Bukit Bunga, Tanah Merah. Kelantan KPDN director Azman Ismail said that in the first operation on Tuesday (May 6), they detained a 52-year-old Thai woman, who was driving a Toyota Camry car, in the parking lot near a supermarket in Bunga Raya at about 3.30 pm. 'The suspect is believed to have tried to smuggle subsidised petrol to Thailand after filling up a total of almost 117 litres of petrol twice (97 litres and 20 litres) on the same day. The suspect also admitted that the fuel would be sold wholesale to local agents at the border being resold retail in Thailand,' he said in a statement today. The KPDN then seized the Toyota Camry and about 45 litres of petrol stored in a modified tank. The suspect has been detained under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 and Section 10 of the same act. Meanwhile, in an integrated operation on Wednesday (May 7), a KPDN enforcement team, together with Batallion 8 of the Southeast Brigade of the General Operations Force (PGA), seized five Proton cars that were abandoned in Taman Guru, Bukit Bunga at about 9 am. Azman said the fuel tanks of the four Proton Waja and one Proton Wira cars had been modified and contained 420 litres of subsidised petrol that was meant to be smuggled to a neighbouring country, adding that no arrest had been made. He said the seized vehicles have been handed over the the Tanah Merah KPDN and the investigation is being carried out under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.


The Star
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Wednesday (May 7, 2025)
Malaysia * Govt reviewing need to revise healthcare financing system, says Anwar * Status of Labuan MP to be decided soon * PKR Youth backs Nurul Izzah for deputy president, says Adam Adli * Penang PKR supports Nurul Izzah for deputy presidency * MACC resumes questioning Ismail Sabri in graft probe * Husband arrested after woman fatally thrown out of van on Kesas Highway * Teacher claims trial to sexual assault charges in Seremban * Van driver charged with neglect leading to death of five-year-old * Pamela Ling was being pressured by MACC, claims her lawyer * Johor sees rise in HFMD cases since January * Fadhlina backs Nurul Izzah for PKR deputy presidency * Rafizi Ramli says will step down from posts if not re-elected in party polls * Traffic policeman charged with murder * IGP files another leave application against Papagomo for committal proceedings * Man nabbed in Menglembu for stealing undergarments * I took leave to tackle post-party polls issues, says Rafizi * Ismail Sabri leaves MACC HQ after nearly six hours of questioning * Former MACC chief raises concerns over probe involving Pamela Ling * Negri Immigration nabs 102 undocumented foreigners in Bukit Kepayang ops * New Malaysian movie channel 'Enjoy TV5' to launch on May 10 * Two Penang public health assistants remanded over RM54,000 bribery case * MACC nabs company director over RM1.65mil false claim for housing project * Anwar calls for bold education reforms ahead of 13th Malaysia Plan Singapore * S'porean nabbed for being part of illegal vape network * 'Utterly disappointed': Eta Aquarids meteor shower fizzles over Singapore * Phantom Of The Opera's lead actress, who grew up in Singapore, excited about homecoming show * Foreigner behind MRT station molestation caught seven years later when he re-entered Singapore * Singapore's Orchard Road fatal brawl: Man gets jail, caning for rioting * Jail for man who exposed himself to daughter in 2016 and threatened to kill her in 2023 Indonesia * Top Malaysian and Indonesian acts are all set for a starry night at the 'Latihan Pestapora Malaysia' in KL on July 26 * Vespa love affair: Indonesians turn vintage scooters electric * Indonesia's silvermen beg to make ends meet * Drive right up to the crater's edge at this active volcano in Indonesia * 'I'm in charge', declares Prabowo dismissing rumours of being under Jokowi's shadow * A dump truck crashes into a minibus in Indonesia, killing 11 kindergarten teachers Thailand * Cycling from Malaysia to Thailand's coastal gem Songkhla * Quake of 3.0-magnitude recorded in Thailand's Nakhon Si Thammarat province on May 7 * Thai police to press charges against engineers, SAO officials over collapsed Bangkok building * Thai Education Ministry bans vaping in all schools and offices Philippines * Prayers pour in for Asian cardinal to lead the Catholic faith * Philippine unemployment rate rises to 3.9% in March * Philippines signals it won't intervene to cap peso strength Vietnam * Many valuable architectural remnants of ancient citadel discovered in Bac Ninh province * Two foreigners arrested for allegedly desecrating 16th-century emperor's tomb in Vietnam Myanmar * Junta in quake-hit Myanmar extends ceasefire to May 31: State media * Few doctors, throttled aid: How Myanmar's junta worsened earthquake toll Cambodia * Cambodia temporarily bans import of livestock, related animal products from Thailand to curb anthrax outbreak * Cambodian, Lao supreme courts sign MoU on judicial cooperation * Russian ambassador to Cambodia: 'Russia strives to ensure all countries can live in peace' Laos * Laos pushes to boost local products * Electricite du Laos plans to put communications, low-voltage power lines underground Brunei * Brunei Crown Prince urges stronger Asean unity amid rapid tech disruption * Deputy Comms Minister holds bilateral talks with Asean ministers in Brunei Aseanplus * Malaysia to take prudent approach in addressing US tariff issue, says PM * India strikes Pakistan over tourist killings, Pakistan says Indian jets downed * Consumer spark seen during holiday travel boom * Kashmir prepares for empty hotels and long lull in tourism * Khaleda returns home * Local Indian film star Irfan Zaini is now basking in the limelight after impressive display in local runaway hit 'Blood Brothers: Bara Naga', * Malaysian-born actor Lawrence Wong gets international recognition for directorial debut with 'Esky' * Cardinals set to enter conclave to decide who follows Pope Francis * FBM KLCI drifts sideways ahead of interest rate decisions * China central bank governor says will cut banks' reserve requirement ratio * Civil servants affected by Asean Summit traffic jams advised to apply for WFH * Mount Rinjani was last on father's wishlist, says son as climber laid to rest * On Pakistan's side of Kashmir, locals fear they'll be the first to face India's ire * HK actor Brian Wong's 58-year-old wife is five months pregnant * What has happened in India and Pakistan as they fight over Kashmir killings * India and Pakistan: A history of armed conflict * Asian stocks rise as China-US trade talks boost optimism * Malaysia imposes anti-dumping duties on PET polymer imports from China, Indonesia * Malaysian authorities seeking extradition of 1MDB-linked Tim Leissner * China says 'concerned' by India strikes on Pakistan, urges restraint * Asian airlines re-route, cancel flights due to India-Pakistan fighting * Three Indian fighter jets crashed on home territory, cause unknown: Indian security source * Bursa Malaysia ends morning session higher * Keeping up with the conclave: TikTok brings Gen Z closer to the Catholic Church * Ex-China 'most beautiful fugitive' banned for promoting legal education via livestreams * Lisa slammed for Met Gala lingerie that appears to feature Rosa Parks' face * Cricket-Mumbai paid for no-ball 'crime', Pandya says after losing IPL thriller * Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air announce flight suspensions due to India-Pakistan fighting * China agrees to engage with US over tariff * China first corgi police dog in trouble again – this time for stealing sausage during patrol * Asian shares, currencies rally on U.S.-China trade hopes * Residents of Pakistani Kashmir say they fled into hills during Indian strikes * Culinary Class Wars' Paik Jong-won to suspend TV appearances amid controversies * China's trade tsar He Lifeng takes centre stage in US tariff talks * Securities Commission charges businessman for defrauding investors of RM3.16mil * China vows to defend 'justice' in looming trade talks with US * New pope faces 'difficult, complex' point in history, senior cardinal says ahead of conclave * Dozens killed as India, Pakistan clash in worst violence in decades * Hong Kong ranks 37th overall for journalists' safety in new global index * Cathay crew member mistakenly gives boy, 3, wine on Hong Kong-London flight * South Korea ex-PM Han talks up Trump credentials ahead of vote South Korea ex-PM Han talks up Trump credentials ahead of vote * Toxic mushroom victim said meal was 'delicious', Australian court hears * Malaysians advised to postpone all non-essential travel to India * Re-elected Australia PM Albanese to visit Indonesia first in 'signal' to region * Pakistan PM authorises 'corresponding action' after India strikes kill 26 * Hong Kong police arrest aunt of 4-month-old baby hospitalised with brain damage * 'Mixed doubles': Ex-national shuttler Liu Ying welcomes baby girl two years after birth of son * HK actor Alfred Cheung picks Malaysia as good choice for 2nd home, impressed by cleanliness * Man held after several injured in Tokyo Metro knife attack: media reports * Mixed outlook ahead of Bank Negara's OPR announcement tomorrow * India says strikes on Pakistan were 'right to respond' * Taiwanese star Richie Ren reportedly bought 'a whole street of houses' in China for RM140mil


The Sun
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Two Penang public health assistants remanded three days over RM54,000 bribery
GEORGE TOWN: Two public health assistants from the Penang City Council have been remanded for three days from today by the Sessions Court here for allegedly accepting a RM54,000 bribe from a contractor. The remand order for the two male suspects, in their 30s and 60s, was issued by Judge Juraidah Abbas following an application from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). According to a source, the two suspects are believed to have solicited and accepted a bribe of RM54,000 from a male contractor in January 2024. 'The alleged bribe was for assistance in obtaining several temporary hawker stall licences in Penang during Chinese New Year 2024. 'Both suspects were arrested at around 2.30 pm yesterday while they were present to provide their statements at the MACC office in Penang,' the source said. Meanwhile, MACC Penang director Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah confirmed the arrest of the duo when contacted and said the case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.