Latest from Rakyat Post
Rakyat Post
10 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
Penang University Student's RM17,200 Vanishes In Mysterious Midnight Bank Transfers
Subscribe to our FREE A 20-year-old university student in Malaysia has gone public with claims that RM17,200 mysteriously disappeared from her digital bank account in the middle of the night while she was sleeping. Ng Jing Wen, from Butterworth, Penang, says she woke up on 17 July to discover that her account, which had contained nearly RM20,000 the night before, was down to just RM2,269.45. What she found in her transaction history left her stunned: six transfers had been made between 11:53 PM and 12:03 AM, all while she claims she was fast asleep in her bed. The transactions happened in two phases. First, money was moved from three different savings 'pockets' within her account into her main account – RM7,783.02, RM5,179.11, and RM4,830.77. Then, minutes later, three separate transfers totalling RM17,200 were sent to someone named Tan Xing Yee at a different bank – Ng says she's never heard of this person. 'I live alone,' she wrote in a There was no one else in my house, and there were no signs of anyone breaking in or touching my phone. (Pix: Facebook/Jing Wen) Bank Cites Security Protocols in Response When Ng contacted her bank the next morning, they were supportive, and she proceeded to file a police report and contact the bank to freeze the account. After a 10-day investigation, the bank reported that the funds had already been moved and could not be recovered. The bank explained that their security protocols require facial recognition and must be performed on the account holder's device, leading them to conclude the transactions were likely authorised. So, how was a RM15,000 transfer possible just 10 minutes after the limit was supposedly changed? 'I reasonably suspect this might be due to a system loophole or internal operational error,' she wrote, questioning whether the bank's security measures worked as advertised. The student also noted she was initially told the limit had been changed months earlier, in March. She later received information suggesting it occurred ten minutes before the transfers, prompting her to seek clarification on the timeline. A Student's Nightmare For a university student, RM17,200 represents a significant sum – money that might have been saved over years or intended for education expenses. The financial impact is compounded by the emotional toll of being treated as a suspect rather than a victim. As a 20-year-old university student, RM17,200 is a huge amount for me. This incident has left me anxious and deeply affected. When Ng filed her police report, she stated that the officers indicated this looked less like a typical scam and more like a hacking incident, since she hadn't clicked on any suspicious links or fallen for any tricks. Seeking further resolution, Ng decided to share her experience publicly. Her Facebook post, which included screenshots of transaction records, has drawn attention from many Malaysians concerned about digital banking security. Bank Pledges Full Investigation Meanwhile, when contacted by TRP, the bank said they empathise with her situation and are doing what they can to help. They confirmed they are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the issue and are prepared to support and share their findings with the authorities. The bank emphasised its strict zero-tolerance policy towards any form of fraudulent activity or intent, or breaches of the law. As a digital bank, they stated that they regularly review their safety, security, and risk controls to ensure that their operations and processes continue to uphold the trust placed in them by their customers and stakeholders. READ MORE : READ MORE: READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Rakyat Post
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Rakyat Post
GrabCar Mandarin Driven By 1.4 Million China Tourists, But Feature On Pause For Now
Subscribe to our FREE Some Malaysians found something new to be unhappy about today and this time it was a feature on the GrabCar application. Aside from the ability to choose vehicle categories when booking a ride, Grab added an option for customers to select a driver that is fluent in Mandarin, at a pricier rate, of course. READ MORE: Reacting to the (unnecessary) outcry, Grab issued a statement to say the feature is now on pause. But why was it there to begin with? Simple: Numbers don't lie. GrabCar Mandarin was an experiment because data showed 'This experiment was crucial to test the sustainability and demand among tourists, as we work towards introducing support for other additional languages,' Grab said. GrabCar Mandarin was just the company testing an expansion of their language-based ride types, to cater to the needs of tourists visiting Malaysia. 'We have since paused the experiment to review our findings and to plan for future rollout of other language-ride offerings that are not only guided by tourism data, but also through an internally-conducted language-proficiency survey with our driver-partners community.' Once operational, the language-based service will be open for sign-up to all qualified Grab drivers, regardless of background. 'We value all the feedback that was shared with us and will continue engaging with our community as we explore additional earning opportunities for driver-partners. We remain committed to building an inclusive platform that supports national goals and the livelihoods of our partners, while catering to the needs of consumers.' Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Rakyat Post
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Rakyat Post
Masses Rally in Kuala Lumpur To Demand An End To The Genocide In Gaza
Subscribe to our FREE On Saturday 2 August 2025, people from all walks of life gathered in the heart of Kuala Lumpur to march in protest against the ongoing siege, engineered famine and genocide being committed against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Since October 2023, over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces — including more than 18,000 children. The actual death toll is likely much higher, as thousands remain buried under rubble. In addition, famine is being deliberately imposed on the people of Gaza. The United Nations and humanitarian organisations have reported at least 162 deaths by starvation, including 92 children, as Israel continues to block aid, bomb food convoys, and destroy agricultural infrastructure. Over 80% of Gaza's infrastructure — including schools, hospitals, and water systems — has been wiped out. This is not a war. It is a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing The goal is clear: to forcibly remove Palestinians from their land and permanently erase their presence. Yet the international community, particularly powerful Western governments, have failed to act. Their inaction — or worse, their complicity — has emboldened Israel to carry out its campaign of destruction with impunity. Why public protest matters Public pressure has always been a powerful force in the fight against injustice. From the antiApartheid movement in South Africa to the civil rights marches in the United States, mass mobilisation has historically played a crucial role in shifting public consciousness and political will. Every protest sends a message: We are watching. We will not be silent. It is through collective resistance that oppressive systems begin to crack. Why boycotts work Boycotts are a peaceful, nonviolent tool that hits where it matters — economically and politically. The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement has already pressured major companies and institutions to cut ties with Israel's apartheid regime. Just as boycotts helped end Apartheid in South Africa, they are now challenging the systems that profit from occupation and genocide. This march called on the Malaysian government to take stronger action by: Reviewing and terminating contracts with companies complicit in Israeli war crimes, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Caterpillar, and Boeing. Strengthening national BDS policies and enforcing consumer awareness. Holding firm in international forums and pressuring the UN and OIC to impose sanctions on Israel. Saturday's march — organized by a coalition of Malaysian NGOs listed below — was joined by people of all races, religions, and nationalities. United in purpose and in solidarity, they demanded an end to the violence and called on Malaysians to continue raising their voices, taking action, and standing with Palestine until the entire land — from the river to the sea — is free. We will not be silent. We will not look away. Until justice is done and all of Palestine is free — we will march. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Rakyat Post
14 hours ago
- Business
- Rakyat Post
Zoo Negara Announces Its New KeeperKu Programme For Adults
Subscribe to our FREE Zoo Negara has finally announced what its KeeperKu-like programme for adult participants entails. READ MORE: In a recent post, Zoo Negara shared the new CSR Green project is specially designed for corporate companies. Similar to the KeeperKu programme, participants get to assist zookeepers in daily wildlife care such as carrying out enrichment activities, husbandry tasks, exhibit cleaning, and food preparation. The programme is open to corporate groups with 30 participants or more. Corporate groups that are interested in this new team building-like programme can contact Zoo Negara at Yes…but, no, not like this? While it was a nice initiative, it's not exactly the news many interested individuals were looking forward to because they didn't want to do it with their colleagues. Some suggested Zoo Negara to open the programme to private individuals with several time slots but still keep the numbers to at least 30 pax per group. Nevertheless, the new CSR Green project seems to be off on a good start with happy and excited Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Rakyat Post
14 hours ago
- Business
- Rakyat Post
The Future Of Shopping In Malaysia Is Here (And It's Powered By AI)
Subscribe to our FREE From using AI-powered shopping assistants to buying directly off their social media feeds, Malaysians are embracing new retail technologies at lightning speed. And if the latest Adyen Retail Report 2025 is anything to go by, shoppers here aren't just buying more, they're buying smarter and they expect brands to keep up. Based on surveys with 1,000 Malaysian consumers and 500 businesses (part of a global study spanning 41,000 consumers across 28 markets), the report paints a clear picture that Malaysians want fast, convenient, tech-savvy shopping experiences that deliver the best value. Malaysians Are Letting AI Pick Their Next Purchase (Wiroj Sidhisoradej/freepik) Malaysians are ahead of the curve when it comes to AI-assisted shopping. According to the report, 58% of consumers in Malaysia use tools like ChatGPT, smart search engines, and shopping chatbots to guide their purchase decisions—well above the global average of 37%. What exactly are Malaysians using AI for? Turns out, quite a lot: 71% use it for quick ideas on meals, outfits, and purchases 69% say it's helped them discover new brands 18% have even gotten product ideas from AI 60% say they'd be open to shopping directly through AI in the future According to Soon Yean Lee, Country Manager for Malaysia at Adyen, we are entering an era where AI goes beyond convenience. We're seeing a shift from digital convenience to digital intelligence. We are likely entering an era where AI acts as a personal stylist or shopping assistant, curating outfits, surfacing new brands and tailoring suggestions to each individual. Adyen Country Manager for Malaysia Soon Yean Lee. Unsurprisingly, younger consumers are leading the charge, with AI usage highest among Gen Z (74%) and Millennials (65%). But even 25% of Baby Boomers now use AI to support their shopping. Interestingly, Millennials saw the biggest year-on-year jump in AI usage (+40%), followed by Gen X (+33%). Social Media Is the New Shopping Mall (freepik) Social media isn't just for scrolling anymore, it's the new storefront. According to the report: 57% of Malaysians now shop directly on social platforms, averaging six purchases a month 45% are more likely to buy a product if it's trending 52% say recommendations from friends or influencers drive their purchases 41% trust influencer endorsements more than traditional ads And this trend cuts across generations. While Gen Z (50%) and Millennials (53%) are most responsive to social trends, Baby Boomers (26%) say they've been influenced by viral products online too. Fraud Is Becoming a Real Concern (jcomp) With digital commerce on the rise, fraud is a growing issue. 41% of Malaysian consumers reported experiencing fraud in the past year. The financial impact on businesses is significant too, with companies reporting RM6.29 million in fraud-related losses. Top fraud methods include: Credit card scams (16%) Social engineering (14%) Identity theft (12%) Account takeovers (10%) To combat this, 46% of businesses are planning to adopt AI to reduce fraud risk. Despite the Tech, Malaysians Still Love In-Store Shopping (freepik) Even with the digital buzz, Malaysians still have a soft spot for brick-and-mortar stores: 57% like to see and feel products before buying 53% enjoy being able to take things home immediately 49% value the in-store try-before-you-buy experience As shopping habits shift, Malaysian consumers are seeking more flexible, hybrid experiences that blend online convenience with offline engagement. In fact, 55% want retailers to make in-store visits more exciting with features like augmented and virtual reality, in-store cafés, and special events. Easy Checkout or Customers Check Out (presfoto/freepik) A slow or clunky checkout is a major turn-off for Malaysian shoppers. According to the report, payment friction and accessibility are the top reasons why customers abandon their intended purchases: 56% will leave if the payment process takes too long 54% will leave if their preferred payment method isn't available 39% of customers want simpler returns and exchanges between online and physical stores 72% want a seamless shopping experience across social media, apps, and websites To tackle this, 58% of businesses are upgrading their checkout systems—introducing self-service kiosks, Tap-to-Pay, one-click payment options, and AI tools to speed things up. As Lee explains, businesses are under pressure to deliver seamless experiences without compromising on security, customer satisfaction and profits. That's where AI can help, he says. AI is increasingly becoming a key driver of retail performance. Retailers generate large volumes of payments data daily, and AI helps unlock this value to drive conversions at scale. Earlier this year, we launched Adyen Uplift, an AI-powered payment optimisation suite that helps businesses identify genuine shoppers more effectively, reduce fraud, and increase payment success rates with minimal friction. Adyen Country Manager for Malaysia Soon Yean Lee. But faster checkout is only part of the solution. Today's shoppers move quickly between apps, websites, and stores, and they expect the entire experience to feel connected. This is where unified commerce comes in to integrate online, in-store, and social channels into one seamless system. Based on the report, currently, only 52% of Malaysian businesses offer unified commerce, but another 26% plan to implement it within the next year. (pressfoto/freepik) For consumers, this means flexibility like browsing online, buying in-store, and returning via an app, all with consistent pricing and real-time inventory. For retailers, it opens the door to greater efficiency, better insights, and stronger customer loyalty. With AI, social media, and all kinds of smart tech changing how we browse, buy, and even pay, the whole shopping experience is getting a serious upgrade. These days, it's clear that only the brands that keep up with our habits, our vibes, and our expectations will end up in our carts. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
