Kota Sentosa rep calls for stronger anti-scam measures, tougher action against syndicates

Wilfred Yap (file pic)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 15: The federal government has been urged to undertake a comprehensive review of the nation’s anti-scam framework and strengthen legislation to more effectively combat cyber fraud, organised scam syndicates and the misuse of mule accounts amid a growing scam epidemic affecting Sarawakians.

Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said the relentless rise of financial scams nationwide had become a national crisis requiring urgent and coordinated action, as criminals continued to target innocent Malaysians with increasingly sophisticated methods.

“Almost every day, we hear of innocent Malaysians, including many Sarawakians being cheated out of their life savings by highly organised and increasingly sophisticated criminal syndicates.

“These crimes are not merely statistics. Behind every scam is a retiree who has lost a lifetime of savings, a family struggling to recover financially, or a small business owner whose dreams have been shattered,” he said in a statement today.

Yap, who is also a legal practitioner by training, said scammers were advancing faster than existing laws and enforcement mechanisms were adapting, creating a gap that needed to be urgently addressed.

“As the assemblyman for N.12 Kota Sentosa, I believe it is my responsibility to speak up whenever stronger legal protection is needed for the people,” he said.

He acknowledged the efforts by the federal government, Royal Malaysia Police, Bank Negara Malaysia, financial institutions and the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) in tackling the issue.

Yap said initiatives such as the NSRC and banking “kill-switch” mechanisms had been positive steps, but the continued increase in scam cases showed that criminal syndicates were constantly evolving and that the country’s legal and enforcement framework must progress even faster.

He called for several key reforms, including stronger laws to combat cyber fraud, organised scam networks and the misuse of mule accounts.

He also urged greater accountability for financial institutions through enhanced fraud detection systems, faster emergency intervention protocols and improved customer protection measures.

Yap further proposed tougher penalties against individuals who knowingly provide bank accounts, SIM cards or digital platforms to facilitate scam operations.

Other measures he highlighted included strengthening the operational capacity of the NSRC, particularly in ensuring faster coordination and response for scam victims in Sarawak, as well as expanding nationwide public education and digital literacy programmes targeting senior citizens, young people and other vulnerable groups.

“Prevention remains our strongest line of defence,” he said.

Yap stressed that scams were not confined by State borders, with many cases involving organised criminal networks operating across jurisdictions and even internationally.

“This is why robust federal legislation, supported by effective enforcement and close cooperation among all stakeholders, is essential,” he said.

He added that while the Sarawak government remained committed to protecting the welfare of Sarawakians through community engagement and public awareness initiatives, stronger federal laws and enforcement measures were crucial to staying ahead of sophisticated criminal syndicates.

“This is not a partisan issue. It is a national responsibility. Every Malaysian deserves to conduct financial transactions with confidence, knowing that the law provides meaningful protection against those who seek to exploit and defraud innocent people.

“We cannot allow organised criminals to remain one step ahead of the law. The time has come to strengthen our legal framework, enhance enforcement, and send a clear message that Malaysia will not tolerate those who prey on the hard-earned savings of our people,” he said. — DayakDaily