Malaysia to byte crime with AI

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is among nations aiming to use artificial intelligence (AI) in investigating commercial crimes.

However, the Artificial Intelligence Society Malaysia has urged the police force to first guarantee that the men in blue receive thorough training.

Its president Dr Azree Shahrel Ahmad Nazri said police officers need to understand how AI tools function, interpret AI-generated insights correctly and ensure their investigations maintain human oversight.

“AI is only as effective as the people using it. 

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“Without proper training, there is a risk of misinterpretation or over-reliance on AI, which could lead to wrongful accusations or overlooked evidence,” he said in an interview.

Early this month, the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Depart­ment (CCID) said the use of AI would ensure investigating officers could optimise their time when managing cases.

Azree Shahrel suggested that Bukit Aman consider collaborations with Malaysian universities and AI experts to develop tailored training modules for CCID officers and cybercrime units.

The police, he said, should begin AI implementation by focusing on commercial crimes, cyberfraud and money laundering investigations.

“The CCID is the best starting point as it deals with fraud cases involving millions of ringgit.

“AI-powered tools can be integrated with Bank Negara’s Financial Intelligence System to help police track mule accounts and suspicious transactions faster,” he said.

Azree Shahrel, who is also the head of laboratory at the Institute of Mathematical Research at Universiti Putra Malaysia, also proposed for AI-powered chatbots and automated scam alerts to be integrated into banking systems to warn users about suspicious transactions.

“This proactive approach not only helps in crime prevention but also educates the public about ongoing threats,” he said.

Additionally, he said the police could collaborate with local fintech companies, cybersecurity firms, and AI research institutions to develop AI-driven crime prevention systems.

“This will allow Malaysia to stay ahead of evolving crime tactics while ensuring law enforcement agencies are equipped with the latest technology,” he added.

Azree Shahrel highlighted how AI-driven fraud detection systems used by Malaysian banks have been able to flag suspicious transactions related to mule accounts, often used by scammers to launder stolen money.

“AI can track money trails across multiple accounts, something that would take human investigators weeks or months to complete.

“Additionally, AI-powered natural language processing tools can analyse scammer conversations on messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, where many fraudulent investment schemes are promoted.

“In cybercrime investigations, AI can assist in identifying fake websites, detecting phishing attempts and analysing large amounts of digital evidence,” he said.

Azree Shahrel also said the university’s Institute of Mathematical Research and Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology have developed PutraGPT, which aids in fraud detection, identifying suspicious transactions and tracking complex financial trails.

“In cybercrime investigations, PutraGPT helps to identify fake websites, detect phishing attempts, and process vast amounts of digital evidence,” he said, citing the recent fake e-commerce websites that were detected by the system.

“By automating these processes, PutraGPT can improve overall cybersecurity, offering a faster and more accurate response to evolving financial threats.”

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Concerned by increasing corruption

 

Press Release: Corruption Perceptions Index 2024

Corruption Perceptions Index 2024

THE Association of Administrative and Diplomatic Officers Alumni is very disappointed with Malaysia’s ranking in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index. Our score is 50 over 100, the same as last year, and only marginally above the global average score of 43 over 100. Of the 180 countries involved in the survey, we are ranked 57, the same as last year.

This is not surprising given the seemingly increasing incidence of corruption among public servants. Hardly a day goes by without reports on corruption appearing in newspapers, confirming the perception some have that corruption is systemic in Malaysia.

In January, The Star reported that “Corrupt enforcement officers have been raking in close to RM200,000 each month from vape smugglers at the KL International Airport Free Commercial Zone (“Big money for dirty Customs men”, Jan 24; online at bit.ly/star_badvape). It is disappointing that while the government is trying to balance its budget and reduce its public debt, which currently stands at over RM1.5 trillion, we have such large leakages in revenue collection. And this is just one case of many.

Government programmes to inculcate good values in the public service over the last few decades seem not to have had the desired results.

While enforcement by the Malaysian Anti-corruption Commission needs to be enhanced, efforts by all ministries and agencies to stop corrupt practices have to be stepped up without any compromise. In fact, incidents of corruption and the quantum involved seem to have been increasing geometrically.

The association feels that the government must adopt a no-nonsense approach to corruption in the public sector. The fear factor is not there to prevent officers and staff from being involved in corruption. Research suggests that enforcement will be more successful if the penalty is heavy and the probability of being caught is high – and this includes the successful prosecution of such cases.

While some have suggested structural reforms, the association would like to suggest that we go back to basics and focus on programmes and policies that are already in place to combat corruption. What seems to be lacking is proper implementation. These include:

> Annual asset declaration: Officers and staff, especially those in services prone to corruption, must make their annual declaration, and their senior officers must go through these declarations to check for veracity and accuracy.

The Bureau of Asset Inspection in the Public Sector in Thailand and the Central Bureau of Investigation in India are entrusted with this responsibility. Use of artificial intelligence and big data analysis will be helpful in this.

> Ensure integrity: Heads of enforcement departments and supervisors at different levels must ensure integrity among officers in the workplace.

One cannot help but wonder how some officers and staff can work with syndicates under the very eyes of their supervisors and senior officers. Either seniors close one eye to the goings-on in the office or they are part of the game themselves. They must be held responsible and accountable and be made to face the music.

Supervising officers must be up and about and moving to see what is going on around them. They must also pay attention to news coming through the grapevine and undertake follow-up actions.

> Act against those who

corrupt, offer bribes: Action must be taken against those doing the corrupting too.

We support the action taken in the case of the Customs Department where, apart from the collection of the unpaid taxes, the warehouses of the importer were raided for further checks. It must be done to ensure that every cent of the unpaid taxes is collected, apart from imposing other legal penalties associated with the giving of bribes.

> Stronger action: More drastic actions should be taken against officers and staff involved in corruption.

While we support the programme to transfer officers at regular intervals, action must also be taken against those suspected of being involved in corruption before they are transferred out. Demotion and no possibility of promotion for a very long time must be imposed.

The penalties imposed on those convicted must be revised upward. Additional penalties, such as the confiscation of all assets of those convicted of corruption, as well as the assets of their relatives if they were obtained through corruption, would surely discourage corruption.

The action taken against corruption must create fear and shame among officers and staff involved in corruption. The fact that some charged with corruption have been able to get off scot-free, for whatever reasons, has not helped in creating the fear and shame factors.

-TAN SRI ABDUL HALIM ALI President Association of Administrative and Diplomatic Officers Alumni (Persatuan Alumni Pegawai Tadbir dan Diplomatik) Read the full letter at Thestar.com.my. 17 Mar 2025

The Dismal Reality of Malaysian Political Corruption

[1] Yet again we are seeing another former prime minister under investigation for corruption. That makes three former prime ministers either in jail, under investigation or charged with corruption; surely another world record. Add to that one deputy prime minister, at least two former chief ministers and several cabinet ministers who at one time or another were investigated or charged and you get a picture of just how rotten the whole system really is. 

[2] But we’ve seen a similar show-and-tell performance by the MACC before; it usually ends in an anticlimax. All the jewellery and gold watches that were seized from Najib and Rosmah with so much fanfare a few years ago, for example, were eventually returned to them. So this latest show may not mean much in the end.

[3] Indeed, when it involves senior politicians or well-connected individuals, the show is always quite dramatic at the beginning but it invariably ends with a whimper (Mahathir’s sons),  a DNAA (Zahid Hamidi, Riza Aziz and many more) or is allowed to die for want of further action (Sabah scandal, LCS). The current MACC chief must surely have the best record in the world for opening investigations into high-level corruption but thus far he has had zero success in obtaining actual convictions. But the politicians are apparently very happy with his performance as his contract has been extended.

[4] The only time when a corrupt senior politician actually went to jail was of course during the brief period after the 2018 elections when political elites were temporarily in disarray and made the fatal mistake of appointing an outsider (Tommy Thomas) as AG. It was a once-in-a-century convergence of the planets, an aberration. It won’t happen again. Now it back to business as usual.

[5] The other thing to note is that all that loot from the Ismail Sabri investigation – RM170 million in cash, RM7 million in gold bars and an assortment of jewellery –  was reportedly siphoned off from just from one single government program.   Imagine, then, how much is being looted from the hundreds of other government programs. It is estimated that between 30-40% of the more than RM150 billion that the government spends on procuring goods, works and services is siphoned off each year. 

[6] And it goes on and on, year after year. Corrupt politicians and their cronies are the hardest working people in Malaysia – they never sleep, never tire of inventing ways to siphon off public funds and never lack programs to pillage. 

[7] The present administration is proving to be a huge disappointment when it comes to fighting corruption. The Madani anti-corruption agenda is just an elaborate PR exercise, fakery on a grand scale. Their SOP is DNAA, NFA or pardons for friends and allies; MACC for everyone else. Nothing quite brings home the absolute absurdity of the government’s position than the sight of  the prime minister vociferously railing against corruption while standing beside his deputy who, if not for the DNAA he was generously given, might well be in in prison right now for corruption. 

[8] Recently, a RM16.6 billion MINDEF helicopter deal was given to a friend of the prime minister. They say it’s a good deal (and maybe it is) but the  lack of transparency,  the apparent conflict of interest and the fact that all 28 helicopters could have been purchased outright for about a third of the price  (according to some reports) is reminiscent of the scandalous way UMNO did defence procurement. And this from a prime minister who insist he wants to change the system.

[9] Despite all the big talk, there’s really zero interest in fighting corruption where it matters most – among senior politicians. It’s not hard to eradicate corruption; the problem is that there’s simply no political will to do so. If people are making tons of money why would they want to change anything? 

[10] We have to face the ugly truth: corruption is too deeply woven into the fabric of Malaysian politics to be rooted out. The entire machinery of government is thoroughly corrupt and beyond cleansing. There are very few good men left. Syndicates,  cartels and corrupt politicians have a finger in everything from rice distribution to foreign workers. Anyone who dares to expose corruption – like that whistleblower in Sabah or that intrepid reporter from Malaysiakini – will quickly find themselves harassed, investigated and even charged. There’s no hope left; the war on corruption is over and we have lost!

by Dennis Ignatius in corruption, Malaysia, Politics| 18 March 2025]

Malaysians against the disrespectful behavior of Akmal Saleh and a Memorandum for National Harmony

“Self-proclaimed Malay, Muslim champion Akmal Saleh is ...

Please support the memorandum against disrespectful ...

Malaysians against the disrespectful behavior of Akmal ...

ACADEMICIAN and political commentator Prof Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi is seen to be spearheading a campaign to clamp down the rightist influence of UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

This follows the issuance of a six-sided joint statement entitled “Malaysians Against the Disrespectful Behaviour of Akmal Saleh and a Memorandum for National Harmony” led by him.“Self-proclaimed Malay, Muslim champion Akmal Saleh is ...

“Self-proclaimed Malay, Muslim champion Akmal Saleh is ...

*As a *As a patriotic Malaysians & for Nation building, calling all rakyat to viral this declaration message! Help do our little bit for our beloved Malaysia*

*Malaysians against the disrespectful behavior of Akmal Saleh and a Memorandum for National Harmony*

*Joint Statement*

1.Prof Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi

2.Mohamed Tawfik Tun Dr. Ismail

3.Mohamed bin Halim 

4.Choy Meng Hooi

5.Poh Teik Heng

6.Dr Mohd. Razif b Mohd. Ali

We have seen just barely two months have passed of the new year 2025 that Malaysia is slipping further and further into disharmony. After almost 70 years of Merdeka we may have failed to honor the founding fathers of this country the likes of  Tun Dato’ Sir Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun V.T. Sambanthan and Tun Sir Tan Cheng Lock. The recent JAKIM furore over needless guidelines for Muslims visiting and interacting with non-Muslims marks a social fissure that may cause a total collapse of nation building by dividing communities in our country  forever.

In the light of these serious social and religious crisis, one person stands out as the epitome and example of nation disharmony; the politician from UMNO Akmal Saleh. As a people’s representative in Melaka, a State with a long history of integration and racial harmony, as an Exco of the state and as head of the UMNO Youth, Akmal has sown discord after discord in his relentless attacks on non-Malay personalities on issues of race and religion, in spite of swearing an oath to uphold the Constitution. We Malaysians respect Akmal Saleh for being a self proclaimed ‘champion’ of the Malays and of the Muslims but we totally disagree with his socially and spiritually destructive methods and statements. He had taunted a veteran Chinese politician as Nyonya Tua. He had called on Malays to boycott a Chinese businessman ‘sampai bankrap’. He had called a Chinese Minister of the Unity Government as ‘stupid’. He had recently called out a young Chinese MP to ‘better die’. His manner of speaking can easily be interpreted as menacing, threatening and certainly insulting.

He should follow the example of Melaka statesmen like the late Tun Abdul Ghafar.

If we have a young politician leaders like this who influences many online members of his same race as well as members of his own political party and other Malay based political parties, how are we going to rebuild this nation through the idea of ‘kesopanan dan kesusilaan’? The core foundational values of social, political and religious harmony are respect and according dignity to all faiths, race and cultures. Inherent in the concept of respect and dignity are speaking and debating with decorum, knowledge and courtesy. 

We Malaysians ask that Akmal Salleh apologises to all Malaysians unreservedly for his past and present behavior and a promise of upholding the Rukunegara. We Malaysians, in turn, promises to forgive and begin our relationship with him in a clean slate.

We also ask UMNO to ensure that it advises and reprimand all of its members that act like Akmal Saleh in the future, and remind them of the Rukun Negara and the Federal Constitution and the laws enacted after the May 13 tragedy to ensure harmony and peace, formulated by an Umno-led admimistration.

Finally, we Malaysians would like to think and hope that Akmal Saleh can be a good and responsible leader to educate our future generation about the importance and sanctity of social and religious harmony. We Malaysians would also like to think that UMNO can be trusted with a new mandate of governance by abiding to the core values of respecting all faiths and race. We Malaysians will not tolerate and will campaign against any and all parties that would destroy the delicate and sacred harmony between our communities. The task of rebuilding this nation through respect and harmony lies not with any government ministry but unto each and every responsible citizens of Malaysia.

*Signatories*

1.Prof Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi

2.Mohamed Tawfik Tun Dr. Ismail

3.Mohamed bin Halim 

4.Choy Meng Hooi

5.Poh Teik Heng

6.Dr Mohd. Razif b Mohd. Ali.                    Malaysians & for Nation building, calling all rakyat to viral this declaration message! Help do our little bit for our beloved Malaysia*

*Malaysians against the disrespectful behavior of Akmal Saleh and a Memorandum for National Harmony*

*Joint Statement*

1.Prof Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi

2.Mohamed Tawfik Tun Dr. Ismail

3.Mohamed bin Halim 

4.Choy Meng Hooi

5.Poh Teik Heng

6.Dr Mohd. Razif b Mohd. Ali

We have seen just barely two months have passed of the new year 2025 that Malaysia is slipping further and further into disharmony. After almost 70 years of Merdeka we may have failed to honor the founding fathers of this country the likes of  Tun Dato’ Sir Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun V.T. Sambanthan and Tun Sir Tan Cheng Lock. The recent JAKIM furore over needless guidelines for Muslims visiting and interacting with non-Muslims marks a social fissure that may cause a total collapse of nation building by dividing communities in our country  forever.

In the light of these serious social and religious crisis, one person stands out as the epitome and example of nation disharmony; the politician from UMNO Akmal Saleh. As a people’s representative in Melaka, a State with a long history of integration and racial harmony, as an Exco of the state and as head of the UMNO Youth, Akmal has sown discord after discord in his relentless attacks on non-Malay personalities on issues of race and religion, in spite of swearing an oath to uphold the Constitution. We Malaysians respect Akmal Saleh for being a self proclaimed ‘champion’ of the Malays and of the Muslims but we totally disagree with his socially and spiritually destructive methods and statements. He had taunted a veteran Chinese politician as Nyonya Tua. He had called on Malays to boycott a Chinese businessman ‘sampai bankrap’. He had called a Chinese Minister of the Unity Government as ‘stupid’. He had recently called out a young Chinese MP to ‘better die’. His manner of speaking can easily be interpreted as menacing, threatening and certainly insulting.

He should follow the example of Melaka statesmen like the late Tun Abdul Ghafar.

If we have a young politician leaders like this who influences many online members of his same race as well as members of his own political party and other Malay based political parties, how are we going to rebuild this nation through the idea of ‘kesopanan dan kesusilaan’? The core foundational values of social, political and religious harmony are respect and according dignity to all faiths, race and cultures. Inherent in the concept of respect and dignity are speaking and debating with decorum, knowledge and courtesy. 

We Malaysians ask that Akmal Salleh apologises to all Malaysians unreservedly for his past and present behavior and a promise of upholding the Rukunegara. We Malaysians, in turn, promises to forgive and begin our relationship with him in a clean slate.

We also ask UMNO to ensure that it advises and reprimand all of its members that act like Akmal Saleh in the future, and remind them of the Rukun Negara and the Federal Constitution and the laws enacted after the May 13 tragedy to ensure harmony and peace, formulated by an Umno-led admimistration.

Finally, we Malaysians would like to think and hope that Akmal Saleh can be a good and responsible leader to educate our future generation about the importance and sanctity of social and religious harmony. We Malaysians would also like to think that UMNO can be trusted with a new mandate of governance by abiding to the core values of respecting all faiths and race. We Malaysians will not tolerate and will campaign against any and all parties that would destroy the delicate and sacred harmony between our communities. The task of rebuilding this nation through respect and harmony lies not with any government ministry but unto each and every responsible citizens of Malaysia.

*Signatories*

1.Prof Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi

2.Mohamed Tawfik Tun Dr. Ismail

3.Mohamed bin Halim 

4.Choy Meng Hooi

5.Poh Teik Heng

6.Dr Mohd. Razif b Mohd. Ali.     

Free influenza programme for seniors has slots filled at over 100 govt clinics nationwide

 

Extra protection: Senior citizens registering to receive the vaccine at a government health clinic in Kuala Lumpur. — AZHAR MAHFOF /The Star

PETALING JAYA: The first day of the influenza vaccination drive for senior citizens was off to a good start, with slots at over 100 government health clinics across the country all taken up.

A check on MySejahtera showed that 146 health clinics were fully booked while some were running out of slots.

Almost all government clinics in the Klang Valley, Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan and Johor were fully booked.

Terengganu and Perlis were among the states with the lowest uptake. 

A retiree, who only wanted to be known as Lee, said he registered for the flu jab as soon as the Health Ministry announced the vaccination drive.

He signed up on Feb 14 and got a slot yesterday.

“I have been following the news on the influenza outbreak abroad. Then there were also reports about the death of a celebrity (who died on Feb 2 of a flu-related illness at age 48). So, I wanted to get the jab as we have a trip to Japan soon,” he said.

Lee hoped the government would continue to provide annual flu vaccinations for senior citizens and other high-risk groups.

“Otherwise, the people may have to get it done at private clinics for a fee.

“This may discourage some senior citizens from getting the jab; RM90 is not affordable for many,” said the former teacher, who received his flu shot at a health clinic in Kuala Lumpur.

Last week, the Health Ministry said that Malaysians aged 60 and above suffering from at least one chronic condition – such as diabetes, respiratory diseases, heart disease, hypertension and kidney illness – could get the vaccine for free starting yesterday.

The initiative is expected to benefit about 170,000 senior citizens.

K. Ramani, 67, said her son helped her register for the flu jab on the MySejahtera app.

“My son advised me to get the jab although the cases are not that high in Malaysia.

“I have diabetes and heart disease. So it is better to take the necessary precautions,” said the grandmother of four, who got her jab at a health clinic in Gombak.

“The process was smooth and it did not take long,” she added.

Senior citizens are not only turning to government health clinics for the flu jab. Some of them opted to do so at private clinics.

Lecturer Dr Norain Othman, 65, said she took the flu jab earlier in preparation for an umrah trip last month.

“It is a requirement that we fill in a medical book and provide proof of vaccination. So, I went to a clinic that offered the vaccine.”

She received her jab at a private clinic in Shah Alam, paying RM120 for it.

As for side effects, Norain said she only experienced mild body aches for a day or two.

She said the flu vaccination gave her an added sense of security, especially when she was in a crowded environment during the umrah.

“At my age, I can be more vulnerable to diseases carried by people from all over the world because of my weaker immune system.

“I am not in the best of health, as I have diabetes and high blood pressure,” she said.

Norain also said her niece, who had travelled to Japan, caught the flu when she returned and was later diagnosed with influenza.

Encouraging response for free flu jabs in Penang as ...

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