02/10/2024

WEDNESDAY | OCT 2, 2024

3 MACC uses advanced tech to improve probe methods

New dept director general appointed PUTRAJAYA: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar has announced the appointment of Islamic Development Department deputy director-general (Policy) Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee as the department’s new director-general, effective immediately. Sirajuddin, 57, succeeds Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yusoff, who held the position since March 21, 2022. Shamsul Azri said the appointment aims to strengthen the delivery of Islamic affairs services and solidify the department’s role as the leading sector for Islamic affairs in Malaysia. He said Sirajuddin, who holds a bachelor’s degree in syariah law from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, began his public service career as the Selangor Islamic Religious Department assistant director ( Dakwah ) on Jan 2, 1992. Shamsul Azri also announced Hakimah’s appointment as coordinator of religious affairs, responsible for coordination between the Islamic Development Department, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation and the Halal Development Corporation Bhd, effective yesterday. He said Hakimah, who made history as the first woman to be appointed as director-general of the department, would play a pivotal role in enhancing the management of Malaysian halal affairs. “With these appointments, it is hoped that the department would continue to elevate the stature of Islam and position itself as a comprehensive and competitive federal agency for Islamic affairs on the global stage.” – Bernama Malacca varsity wins Asean award MALACCA: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka won the Energy Management Award for Buildings and Industry at the Asean Energy Awards (AEA) in Vientiane, Laos on Monday. Its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Massila Kamalrudin expressed pride in the university being selected as Malaysia’s representative at AEA. “It is the highest recognition for institutions and organisations in driving sustainable energy management at the regional level. “The achievement positions Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka as a leading university in sustainable energy management not only within Malaysia but also in Southeast Asia.“ She said the university remains committed to innovating and becoming a regional leader in sustainable energy management, Bernama reported. She also said the university would continue to support future sustainable energy agendas in line with its 2023-2025 strategic pillars and the country’s Sustainable Development Goals.

o Open-source system analyses whereabouts of suspects and swiftly gathers info to build profiles: Chief commissioner

PUTRAJAYA: Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is incorporating advanced technology into its investigative methods to address the growing complexity of corruption cases. Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the investigative approach has become more streamlined and efficient over the past five years, using an open-source system that swiftly gathers information to build suspect profiles. He said the system, which has been widely used abroad, allows MACC to analyse the whereabouts of suspects and additional information required before further investigations are carried out. “Five years ago, we relied heavily on field intelligence officers but now we use our system to analyse and track suspects,” he said during a special interview at his office in conjunction with the 57th anniversary of MACC. He said technology enables investigations and intelligence gathering to be conducted quickly, efficiently and thoroughly, which has indirectly led to an increase in convictions. The Malaysian

developments in Kathmandu and provide updates on social media.” Malaysians who need assistance are advised to contact the embassy at +977-98010 08000. Xinhua reported that the death toll from the floods and landslides in Nepal has reached 192 as of Monday morning. Nepal Home Affairs Ministry spokesman Rishiram Tiwari said 30 individuals are missing and 194 injured. Higher salary ceiling for Socso contributions KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry, through the Social Security Organisation (Socso), is raising the salary ceiling for contributions from RM5,000 to RM6,000 per month, effective yesterday. Socso said the change is in line with amendments to the Employee Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) and the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800). “The contribution applicable to employees earning between RM5,000 and RM6,000 per month will be specified in the Third Schedule of Act 4 and the Second Schedule of Act 800. “This increase would provide better benefits for employees with salaries exceeding RM5,000 by raising the existing interest payment rate by up to 20.2%.” About 1.5 million workers would be affected by the increase. – Bernama “Together with the Inland Revenue Board, we have recovered RM500 million this year to be returned to the government. This is a positive catalyst. If more enforcement agencies work together, we could recover more funds lost to criminal activities.” government revenue leakage, estimated at RM277 billion over the past five years. He also said MACC is placing greater emphasis on investigating public interest cases, particularly those involving the conduct of groups of officers or enforcement personnel. MACC has conducted four major operations this year, including Op Samba , which targeted smuggling activities at KL International Airport, in which over RM2 billion was leaked over the past three years, resulting in charges against 23 customs officers. Based on available information, about RM30 billion in revenue has been lost to the black market due to criminal activities, such as smuggling, gambling and corruption. Enforcement agencies must make a concerted effort to recover these funds.

priority in preventing government fund leakage. He said according to its statistics from 2020 to 2024, MACC received 30,483 tip-offs related to corruption, with 17,892 cases involving civil servants. “During this period, MACC initiated 2,123 investigations and detained 2,046 civil servants, of which 1,036 were charged in court and 464 were convicted.” He said the offences included 1,124 cases of accepting bribes, 445 cases of making false claims, 19 cases of offering bribes, 320 cases of power abuse, 57 cases of money laundering, 153 cases under the Penal Code and five cases under other laws. He added that MACC is prioritising cases related to enforcement, procurement and grand corruption, noting that grand corruption is the leading cause of

He added that MACC is training its officers in cybersecurity and cryptocurrency as these have become the latest platforms that criminals use to conceal their illicit gains from corruption. “Our officers are being trained and equipped with skills to detect cryptocurrency used to conceal illicit funds, enabling successful prosecution and recovery of assets for the government.” He said MACC has formed a tactical team to ensure the safety of its personnel during operations in dangerous areas, such as the recent raid in Sibu, Sarawak. He also said the team comprises 20 officers equipped with the latest weapons and trained by VAT 69 Commandos in Perak, Bernama reported. Azam stressed that fighting corruption in the public sector remains the agency’s top

ELECTRIFYING EVENT ... Visitors admiring an exhibition at Menara Miti in Kuala Lumpur yesterday in conjunction with Miti Day, which also featured a career carnival and live performances. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Malaysians advised to postpone travels to Nepal KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are advised to postpone their travels to Nepal following floods and landslides due to continuous rains. Kathmandu-based Malaysian that rain is expected to start on Oct 1 and last until Oct 5. advising Malaysians in Nepal to contact the embassy in case of emergencies. He said the price of food in Kathmandu has doubled due to the bad weather.

He also said 25 Malaysians were affected by the floods and landslides. “Most were on their way back from Pokhara to Kathmandu. With the help of local agents and the embassy, they safely reached Kathmandu on Sunday.” He said there are several groups that have just started their climb in Nepal, Bernama reported. “The embassy has not received emergency notification. It will continue to monitor the latest

“For those planning to visit Nepal, we advise them to postpone their trips as routes out of Kathmandu are cut off. The water level is high and bridges connecting Kathmandu are completely destroyed. “Everyone is advised to postpone travelling to Nepal until authorities declare it is safe and the roads and highways are repaired,” he said,

embassy chargé d’affaires Mohd Firdaus Azman said continuous rain since Sept 26 has caused many highways and roads throughout the country to be flooded and disconnected. He said the Nepal Hydrology and Meteorology Department has warned

“Following agricultural areas being affected, food supply being cut off and the transport system being affected, the price of food has doubled. The price of vegetables has increased fivefold.”