Illicit Cigarettes

The headline for Tuesday 26 Apr is about the illicit cigarettes in Malaysia.  Malaysia has became the no 1 country in the world with the highest trading on illegal cigarettes.

The people smokes a staggering nine billions sticks of illegal cigarettes annually. The problems is not only limited to the lost of earning but it had many more surprises.

1. Shocking contents of the fake clones - Many unsuspecting smokers think that they had a bargain, a cigarettes minus the high cost, but what they do not know is the harm these clones can bring about.

2. The customs estimates billion $$ of tax money had gone missing.

Read More about it..

Malaysians smoke nine billion sticks of illegal cigarettesevery year

Apr 26, 2011 ... KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians smoke a staggering nine billion sticks of illicit cigarettes each year, which means that almost four out of 10 ...

thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/4/26/nation/20110426082729&sec=nation

Malaysians smoke nine billion sticks of illegal cigarettes every year

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians smoke a staggering nine billion sticks of illicit cigarettes each year, which means that almost four out of 10 cigarettes smoked here are illegal.

Such cigarettes, which contain high levels of tar and nicotine, have become a growing scourge in Malaysia so much so that the country has become the world's No. 1 country in the trading of illicit cigarettes.

It is also costing the Government up to RM2bil in lost revenue from taxes.

A recent report by Goldman Sachs, the global investment bank, revealed astonishing details on the extent of the illegal trade.

Full story in The Star today

Fighting the Ah Long

In Malaysia we are having hard time with Ah Long. Looking at the word Ah Long means big brother, a nice name for a dubious personality. Most may not even think twice about the problem the illegal money loan can do to the borrowers. I know a few friends who were involved in borrowing. The interest is a cut throat business.. 10% per month is considered a good deal. You borrow $100, you get $90, the $10 is a safety deposit, on the first of next month it becomes $99. You have to pay the agree amount say $10, so the balance is $89.

Imagine if you borrow $10,000. It becomes double in a year.

The paper on 12 Apr carried the news that Ah Long ring was busted. It is worrying when this type of news keep coming back to often. That can only mean that, the Ah Long problem is far from over.

Probably the problem with the Malaysia is in the mind set. They are too focused on busting crime rather than solving problem. The same way that they are handling the road accident problems by creating loads of rules and regulation.. " we need a new law to curb the problem of...".

... from the news, 4 men aged between 22 to 37 were caught in Penang. They were involved in the illegal money-lending syndicate. Seized were over 1000 cards to record transaction. That mean, the are running a thriving business with good number of customers, post dated checques valued over RM13.5 mil.

Read more..

Police bust northern region Ah Long syndicate

Apr 11, 2011 ... "This was the biggest seizure involving Ah Longactivities this year in a region comprising Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak," he added. ...

thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/4/11/nation/20110411205348&sec=nation  

Crime watch - credit card Scam

The PM blog reported the reduction of crime by 22%. However the newspaper headline reported the worrying news about the credit card scam..

Thursday April 14, 2011

Banks to send SMS queries to curb fraud

KUALA LUMPUR: Banks will issue transaction alerts via short messaging service by Jan 1, 2012 in a bid to curb credit card fraud.

An statement from Bank Negara Malaysia said card holders could respond to the SMS after a transaction was performed.

The statement yesterday said action was promptly taken through a joint effort of credit card issuers and various law enforcement agencies to nab the parties involved following a recent case of fraud involving credit cards.

“Credit card issuers will continuously take the necessary measures in ensuring that the integrity and safety of credit cards are maintained,” the statement said.

It added additional enha...

Tuesday March 29, 2011

NKRA poll for the people on PM’s blog

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are invited to vote on a new poll on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's blog.

Posted on 1Malaysia.com.my, the poll wants to know which National Key Result Area (NKRA) has affected you the most?

The poll, which attracted 138 voters as at 8.50pm yesterday, found that 26% of the respondents felt “improving urban public transport” was the NKRA that impacted them the most.

This was followed by crime reduction (22%), raising living standards for the poor (19%), improving student outcome (16%), combating corruption (13%) and improving rural basic infrastucture (4%).

The ambitious Government Transformation Programme (GTP) focuses on delivering tangible outcomes on the six areas called NKRAs.

credit card fraud

It is a worrying news as the government officers are involved in the fraud.

The national registration department, the unit that produces the Identification cards is a party to the credit card scum.

read more...

Credit cards stolen from the mail and used for fraud

Apr 13, 2011 ... KUALA LUMPUR: A group of seven postmen intercepted letters containing credit cards, switched the microchips of the cards with fake ones and ...

thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/4/13/nation/8468052&sec=nation

Credit cards stolen from the mail and used for fraud

By AUSTIN CAMOENS
austin@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: A group of seven postmen intercepted letters containing credit cards, switched the microchips of the cards with fake ones and then delivered them to the applicants.

The postmen, with the help of other syndicate members, then used the cards with the original microchips to go on a spending spree.

The syndicate that has been operating since 2009 chalked up close to RM1mil in purchases.

City deputy police chief Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) Datuk Amar Singh said police got wind of the syndicate after they arrested one of its members in the act of stealing a credit card at the Shamelin post office last week.

Another case closed: SAC Amar briefing the press on the arrest of members of the credit card fraud syndicate at the Cheras police headquarters yesterday. In the foreground are the credit cards, identity cards and mobile phones seized from the suspects. — Bernama

“The postmen would intercept the new credit cards in the mail and switch the microchips with fake ones before repacking the mail and sending them to the applicants,” he told a press conference at the Cheras police headquarters yesterday.

SAC Amar said the syndicate also had the help of a National Registration Department (NRD) officer who supplied them with the names of the mothers of the real credit card applicants.

The names would be needed to activate the cards.

He added that the syndicate members would then go on a spending spree before the applicant reports the unauthorised use of the cards.

“After questioning the suspect, we arrested the rest of the syndicate, including the NRD officer, and seized 10 credit cards and credit card letters.

“The syndicate had racked up between RM500,000 and RM1mil in credit card charges for purchases of luxury items including electronic goods,” he said.

He added that police had already connected the syndicate to 11 cases within the Klang Valley, but believe that they were involved in many more cases.

SAC Amar said the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for fraud.

“We are also in talks with banks and credit card companies to find a more fool-proof way to get credit cards to the rightful owners in future,” he said.

sarawal election Taib will Go

I think Sarawak election has taken a new twist. It was never discussed that Taib has to go, but that was the front page news on monday 11, 5 day before the coasting of the vote.

"Don't worry, the change of leadership will be done" . Najib tried to convince the voters. He worked hard, cancelling the Cabinet meeting, this week.

Off course every body will go, as we are living for ever. The important question is when. At the moment it is open, it can be 1 year, 2 years or even 4 year. There are things needed to be done for the interest of the Sarawak people... They elected me, so I should  not leave then in jeopardy.  

Read further ...on the star

uesday April 12, 2011

Big names arrive as super-sized fight shapes up

By YU JI
yuji@thestar.com.my

KUCHING: The arrival of Federal Cabinet members to Sarawak to campaign was the Opposition’s hottest topic yesterday.

At a DAP press conference here yesterday, its secretary general Lim Guan Eng said he welcomed the super-sized fight that was shaping up.

Lim, who is Penang Chief Minister, also said the arrival signalled better Sarawak and peninsula Malaysia cooperation.

However, he criticised the state Barisan Nasional for what he described as “double standards”.

He said the state cabinet several months ago had talked about rejecting peninsula-style elements in campaigns yet the Federal Cabinet members were coming to do campaigns.

“Didn’t they want to reject such type of campaigning? They accused DAP of bringing in too many national leaders, and that we were not giving the state DAP autonomy. Now, they are doing it too.”

State DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen, who is also Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa incumbent, agreed.

“It is always our stand that we welcome national leaders to help in campaigns; even more so when we have leaders coming, who have results to show and speak of,” Chong said in reference to Lim.

The Barisan had acted too fast to condemn the influx of DAP leaders during the Sibu by-election in May last year, Chong added.

“After that, during a State Legislative Assembly sitting, there was even a motion to reject peninsula-style election campaigns. If they so condemn such campaigns, then why does it now seem like Barisan national leaders are taking over the Sarawak campaign?” Chong said.

Media reports yesterday confirmed that nearly the entire Federal Cabinet were making their way to Sarawak. This week’s Federal Cabinet meeting has been cancelled as a result.

Leading the Barisan blitz is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is campaigning in all parts of the state everyday right up until polling eve on Friday.

Najib’s last stop is Miri, which is witnessing one of the biggest straight fights between SUPP and DAP.

immigration trial on graft charges

The coming of Sarawak had brought many bombs. It started with  the sex video brought by 3 dato'. A number of opposition leaders were invited to convince them to leave the party. Then we had the customs hunts followed by another MACC related death of the customs boss.

The paper on Friday 8 Apr brought the case of Immigration officer graft charges.

Read more...

Immigration officers claim trial to graft charges

Apr 8, 2011 ... SHAH ALAM: Eight Immigration officers claimed trial in three courts here to a total of 83 charges of allegedly obtaining bribes amounting to ...

thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/4/8/courts/8438343&sec=courts

Friday April 8, 2011

Immigration officers claim trial to graft charges

SHAH ALAM: Eight Immigration officers claimed trial in three courts here to a total of 83 charges of allegedly obtaining bribes amounting to RM122,140 to facilitate the entry of Indonesian immigrants into Malaysia.

The eight, including a woman, are officers from the shipping division of the Immigration Department.

All were charged under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.

They face a maximum 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of no less than five times the amount of bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Shahrizal Che Dan, 26, faces 31 charges involving RM51,760 and allegedly committed the offences between April 20 and June 16, last year at Public Bank branches in Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang, Port Klang and Taman Seri Sentosa.

Shahrizal was represented by counsel S.P. Raman. Judge Asmadi Hussin fixed bail at RM10,000 in one surety.

In the same Sessions Court, Nor Shahazlina Sulaiman, 25, was charged with obtaining a RM2,900 bribe at the Pandamaran Maybank branch between 10pm and 12am on Aug 29, last year.

She was represented by counsel Wan Shahrizal Wan Ladin and was granted bail of RM6,000 in one surety. Their cases were fixed for mention on May 5.

Mohamad Izuwanshah Samsuri, 25, and Mohamad Huzzail Ahmad, 31, pleaded not guilty before judge M. Bakri Majid.

Mohamad Izuwanshah faces 25 counts totalling RM31,690 for alleged offences committed between April 21 and June 17, last year at Port Klang CIMB Bank and a Petronas station in Jalan Pandangan, Klang.

He was granted bail of RM10,000 in one surety.

Mohamad Huzzail was charged with obtaining a RM500 bribe at a house in Persiaran Seraya, Taman Palm Grove, at about noon on Sept 25, last year.

He was granted bail of RM4,000 in one surety.

Both men were unrepresented. Their cases are fixed for mention on April 24.

In another court, four officers pleaded not guilty before judge Mat Ghani Abdullah.

Ahmad Zahed Ali, 28, faces 12 charges involving RM13,590. He allegedly committed the offences at two Maybank branches in Bukit Tinggi and Port Klang between July 26 and Aug 28, last year.

He was represented by counsel Lim Kon Keen.

Azmir Mahadi, 28, was charged with six counts of graft totalling RM5,710. The offences were allegedly committed between Aug 15and Aug 28, last year at an Affin Bank branch and Shell station in Port Klang. He was represented by counsels Wan Shahrizal and Halim Ashgar.

Hafiz Zakaria, 27, was charged with four counts of graft involving RM8,640.

He allegedly committed the offences between Sept 25 and Sept 30, last year at the CIMB Bank and EON Bank branches in Port Klang and the Immigration quarters in Pandamaran.

Khairul Haqimie Kamarudin, 26, faces three counts involving RM7,350. The offences were allegedly committed on Aug 28 and Sept 28, last year at a Bukit Tinggi Maybank branch and in front of Restoran Moden, Simpang Kudrat in Klang.

Hafiz and Khairul were represented by lawyer Amir Khusyairi Mohd Tanusi. Mat Ghani fixed bail at RM6,000 for Ahmad Zahed and RM5,000 each for the remaining three. Their cases are fixed for mention today.

DPPs Muhammad Sinti and Ng Swee Wee with prosecuting officers Azuan Adzhar and Mahamad Sukri Abu Seman appeared for the prosecution.

royal commission for anwar case?

Another royal commission of inquiry for the sex is not required, as suggested by Bar Council..

read more from thestar...

Published: Saturday April 9, 2011 MYT 5:22:00 PM
Updated: Saturday April 9, 2011 MYT 6:57:49 PM

Bar Council questions calls for RCI on sex video

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bar Council has questioned calls by various quarters for the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to probe the sex video clip allegedly implicating Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysian Bar president Lim Chee Wee described the calls as "misguided" as under the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950, an RCI was usually set up to enquire into matters of unarguable public importance, commonly involving or implicating public institutions having authority over some aspects of the lives or the welfare of citizens.

He said RCIs had been set up in the past to investigate the conduct and functioning of public institutions such as the police and judiciary, in relation to the nude ear squat issue and VK Lingam video clip.

"Viewed against this backdrop, it is not surprising that the sudden enthusiasm displayed in the call for an RCI in this instance (sex video) raises a serious sense of skepticism and indignation in the minds of many enlightened Malaysians," he said in a statement.

Additionally, he said the establishment of an RCI to probe the sex video would invoke more questions in people's minds than the suggested exercise might hope to answer. As such, Lim said the Bar Council called on the government to restore its proper sense of priority and to channel its energy, resources and political will in ways that would truly benefit the people.

On Friday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had said the Cabinet had decided to wait for a police investigation on the sex video clip to be completed before considering an RCI. He said that the police probe would determine the authenticity of the video and identify the characters in it.

"The government would then consider setting up a royal commission, should there be a dispute over the outcome of that investigation," he had said.