Latest news with #WismaMCA
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
‘Datuk Seri' scam suspect a no-show
Paper trail: Chong (left) and Hamzah (centre) showing off copies of documents from the 'Datuk Seri' during a press conference at Wisma MCA, Kuala Lumpur. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The plot has thickened in the case of a so-called 'Datuk Seri' accused of swindling people of thousands of ringgit, with the man himself 'volunteering' to reveal his identity publicly. 'He promised yesterday (Sunday) to prove his identity at today's press conference. 'But he changed his mind at the last minute and said he had been hospitalised and could not be present,' said MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong. Chong said the man had earlier contacted his office, indicating that he wanted to attend the press conference to clear his name. 'But later, he said he couldn't come due to high blood pressure.' Last Friday, Chong had convened a press conference, saying that he had received six reports from people claiming to have been scammed by a person claiming to be a 'Datuk Seri', who supposedly runs an investment scheme. One victim is said to have lost RM400,000 to the man in question. Another victim is said to be a Datin. Following the exposure, Chong said the individual uploaded a copy of his identity card and related documents on his social media to clear his name. 'He also threatened legal action against me and the Council of Datuk Dato' Malaysia (MDDM),' he told reporters yesterday. However, Chong said they had no intention of apologising. 'If he truly holds the title, he should come forward and prove its authenticity. 'He claims to be a Datuk Seri with the description 'Ahli Istana Anak Angkat' above his name. But is that legitimate?' he asked. Chong also showed a copy of an identity card allegedly of the man's partner, who referred to herself as 'Putri'. He urged others who may have fallen victim to the scam to lodge their own police reports. MDDM president Datuk Samson David Maman said the council had received calls from another two individuals claiming they were deceived by the same person. 'We regularly receive complaints about bogus Datuk or Datuk Seri. We urge the public to verify any such claims through the official Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa website,' he said. Datuk Hamzah Limin, the Datuk Lembaga Suku Biduanda Raja Balang Luak Johol, reiterated that traditional titles under the Luak Johol jurisdiction are only valid if recommended by the Datuk Undang Johol and officially conferred by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan at Istana Besar Seri Menanti. 'Any conferment carried out outside of official state ceremonies – such as in hotels or private venues – is not valid,' he said. Hamzah also warned the public against the misuse of traditional symbols and titles, noting that some individuals have used unauthorised emblems, forged documents and royal-style language such as 'Duli Yang Maha Mulia'. 'No titles such as 'anak angkat', 'puteri' or 'putera' have been issued by the Datuk Undang. The public must remain alert to avoid being misled,' he said.
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Don't be fooled by ‘Datuk Seri'
Lured by fake titles: Chong (front row, second from right) with a few of the victims at the press conference held at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Beware of 'Datuk Seri' asking for money. This was the warning from Datuk Seri Michael Chong, who said his office has received six reports of people being scammed by individuals claiming to have the title. One victim allegedly lost RM400,000 to a particular 'Datuk Seri' who claimed to be running an investment scheme, said Chong, who heads MCA's Public Services and Complaints Department. He urged the public to be extra cautious when approached for business deals, particularly by individuals flaunting dubious titles. 'If someone claiming to be a Datuk Seri is asking for money, that's already a red flag. 'We've received reports and a photo of a man claiming to be a Datuk Seri with 'Ahli Istana Anak Angkat' written on top of his name. 'We've checked with the Istana and there is no such title. It's completely fabricated. 'The complainants lost so much money – the amount varies, with one person investing RM400,000. One of the complainants is herself a Datin,' he said during a press conference at Wisma MCA here yesterday. Chong said the scammer in question is soliciting investments in an illegal money scheme. 'After we interviewed the victims, they admitted they were misled into trusting him because they thought his Datukship is genuine. 'They've now come forward to seek advice from us,' he said. The scammer's state of origin remains unknown, but Chong confirmed that a police report has been lodged. There have also been dubious claims made about an alleged 'Agong quota' for such titles. 'As far as we know, no such quota exists,' he said. The public can verify the legitimacy of honorific titles through the Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa website ( 'Key in the name and if the person truly holds a Datuk title, it will appear. If you're unsure, you can also contact us or Majlis Datuk-Datuk Malaysia (MDDM) for verification.' He said Majlis Datuk Persekutuan Malaysia (MDPM) and MDDM are actively addressing this issue, stressing that impersonating titleholders is a serious offence. 'People don't just misuse the 'Datuk' title, but also 'Datuk Seri' and 'Tan Sri'. So far, no scammer has claimed to be a 'Tun' yet,' Chong added. He said MDDM has been pushing for amendments to Awards Act 2017 (Act 787) to empower police to take swifter action against individuals using fraudulent titles. 'We've been advocating this for years. We understand the proposed changes have gone through the Attorney General's Chambers, and though the process is slow, it is progressing.'
The Star
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Fans outraged after organisers disappear with concert refunds
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong during a press conference at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Fans of a Korean singer, whose fan meeting here was cancelled, are demanding refunds from the organisers, who they claim have disappeared. A group, headed by a woman known as Saza, announced that the event featuring Korean singer Onew, titled the 'Guess Onew Fanmeeting 2024', was initially scheduled for July 27. However, the venue was altered before the event was ultimately cancelled. Fans who purchased tickets through an online portal were informed that the refund had been returned to the event organisers. 'We were told that the refund process would begin in August and be fully completed by December. However, we have yet to get any refunds at all. 'In the meantime, the event organiser has continued to conduct events, with at least three we know of since the cancellation of this one,' Saza, who also works as a lawyer, said. MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong, who organised the press conference for the group, stated that several members had taken the issue to the Tribunal for Consumer Claims and had received a decision allowing them to pursue their refunds. He added that the group had collectively lost around RM20,000 from the unfulfilled tickets. However, efforts to serve the letter to the company have been unsuccessful, with the group claiming that the premises had been vacated. 'We will give them a week to respond to us. I hope they will come so we can solve this matter without requiring a civil suit. 'If they fail to do so, then we will need to move on to the second step, and we will cross that bridge if we are forced to,' he said. Saza added that they have tried numerous avenues to retrieve their money, including getting in contact with the talent agency that had planned to bring the singer over. She added that they were told they were in a legal dispute with the organiser. 'I pity the foreign fans the most because they do not have the avenue to come here to fight this in person,' she said.
The Star
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘No replacing apples with cucumbers'
Sounding the alarm: Low (seated, fourth from right) with Chin (fourth from left) posing for a photograph at the press conference on SST at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur. – AZMAN GHANI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Consumers may have to pay much more for imported fruits with the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) kicking in on July 1, traders said. Kuala Lumpur Fruit Wholesalers' Association president Chin Nyuk Moy said importers faced a double whammy with the 5% SST on imported fruits and 30% increase in freight charges in Port Klang, not to mention the possibility of an electricity tariff hike. She said many imported fruits were already subject to duties ranging from 5% to 30%, depending on their countries of origin and type. 'Fruits from countries like Thailand, South Africa and the United States already incur import taxes. 'With all these layered costs, we can't imagine how much apples, oranges, pears and grapes will cost after July 1,' she told a press conference at Wisma MCA here yesterday. Chin said cold storage costs were also rising sharply, citing her facility's RM60,000 monthly power bill. 'SST applies to transport and electricity tariffs too. That's a huge burden for wholesalers. 'Fruits are not a luxury, they are essentials. Vegetables are exempt from SST, and fruits should be too. You can't replace apples with cucumbers,' she argued. Chin said even once-premium fruits such as avocados were now commonly found in supermarkets. She said it remained unclear how consumers will respond to the SST imposition. 'If people start cutting back, we will be forced to reduce imports. Margins are already razor-thin, and operating costs keep rising,' she said. Chin said while importers looked to source fruits from more affordable countries, global supply remained constrained. 'Fruit farming is challenging. The US has cut back on exports, Australia is producing less, and exchange rates are unfavourable. 'Chinese apples that once cost RM50 to RM60 per box now go for RM100. For oranges, we have turned to Egypt and the Middle East for better value,' she said. Northern Kuala Lumpur Traders Association president Ong Mok Hooi said small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were already buckling under pressure. 'SMEs are the backbone of our economy. Imposing more costs now will only worsen the situation. If business continues to decline, how can we retain our workers?' he asked. Fruit wholesaler Qkhiew Yoon Chin said fruits have already become unaffordable to many. 'We used to buy 3kg of mangoes for RM10. After last year's diesel hike, we get only 2kg. 'With the new 5% SST, it will be worse. Fruits were not taxed under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), but they are under SST,' he said. He said traders are struggling with multiple compliance burdens including income tax, PERKESO payments, rising transport costs and implementing e-invoicing. MCA vice-president Datuk Lawrence Low urged the government to withdraw the 5% tax on imported fruits and hold proper consultations with industry stakeholders. 'Fruits like apples, oranges, pears and grapes are part of the daily staple and are used in religious and cultural rituals too,' he added. Low, who chairs the MCA's economic and SME affairs committee, said the move contradicted the government's policy of promoting healthy living, with many temperate fruits not grown locally. He reiterated MCA's long-standing position that the SST should be replaced with a streamlined GST at a lower rate of 3%-4% to avoid cascading taxes and improve transparency. 'MCA will continue to act as a platform for the rakyat. We stand with those struggling under the rising cost of living and will keep voicing their concerns,' he added. On June 9, the government announced a targeted review of the SST regime, effective July 1. While the sales tax for essential goods remains unchanged, a 5% or 10% rate will apply to non-essential items.
The Star
14-05-2025
- The Star
Nude photos to loan shark cost woman dearly
Justice sought: Chong (seated, second from left) holding up a picture during the press conference at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur. Also with him are the three victims as well as MCA Public Services and Complaints Department lawyers. KUALA LUMPUR: A 27-year-old woman regrets sending nude photographs of herself to a loan shark. The victim, who wanted to be known as 'K', said she was desperate for RM3,000 to settle her car loan, so she turned to a moneylender on social media. She said initially, she was told to pay fees amounting to around RM1,000 to secure the loan. However, she was still denied the money and was instructed to send nude photos to receive the sum. K said that even though she sent the photos, she still did not receive the money. 'Now they are asking for more money, or else they will send the photos to my family,' K said at a press conference at Wisma MCA here yesterday. It was organised by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong. Another victim, Chan, said that he borrowed money from 14 loan sharks to fund an online business. 'I had already paid 12 loan sharks with the help of family members. But the remaining two are demanding more than what was borrowed,' the 23-year-old said. Despite borrowing about RM20,000 in total from loan sharks, Chan stated he had already repaid around RM49,000. A third victim, 35-year-old Tan, said that she has been compelled to disown her brother due to his continual borrowing of money to cover his debts. She said that her brother had used the family's home as his primary address when dealing with the loan sharks, despite having moved out several years ago. 'My family cannot afford to pay any more. I want to disown him publicly,' she added. Chong said the victim's brother had also met with him recently. 'He came to meet me to help urge his family to settle his debts. I told him to leave my office,' Chong said. According to Chong, he will be monitoring all cases, and legal aid will be given if needed.
