23/06/2025

MONDAY | JUNE 23, 2025

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Misinformation, staff shortage hitch to e-invoicing compliance

Police probe AI-manipulated video of ex-IGP SHAH ALAM: Police are investigating a video showing an individual resembling former inspector-general of police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah, allegedly receiving financial aid from a ‘Datuk’. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the video, which began circulating on TikTok on June 20, is fake and had been manipulated using artificial intelligence. “The video, which purportedly links the former police chief receiving financial assistance from an individual named Datuk Abdul Ghani, and that money had been deposited into a bank account, is completely untrue and baseless,” he said in a statement on Saturday. Hussein said Acryl Sani had lodged a police report denying that the video contained any official statement from him. He also advised members of the public not to share the video and urged them to verify the authenticity of any content before believing or disseminating it on social media. “The police take seriously the misuse of technology, such as AI, for the purpose of fraud or slander that could damage the reputation of any party. Firm action will be taken against those involved in spreading this fake content.” The case is being investigated under Section 419 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. – Bernama MALACCA: Two friends were killed when the car they were travelling in skidded and crashed into a tree on the road divider along Jalan Persisiran Pantai Klebang yesterday morning. Central Malacca police chief ACP Christopher Patit said the crash occurred at 6.45am and the victims were identified as Muhammad Nur Zamani Mohd Nazery, 28, and Muhammad Haziq, 25. “Initial investigations found that the car, driven by Muhammad Nur Zamani, was travelling from Malacca town towards Bukit Rambai via Jalan Persisiran Pantai Klebang. “The vehicle is believed to have skidded, struck a road cone, spun out of control and crashed into a tree on the road divider. “Both victims sustained severe injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene,” he said in a statement. He added that the bodies have been sent to Malacca Hospital for post-mortem, while the vehicle has been taken to the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre for further assessment. – Bernama Two friends killed in car crash

It was reported that Malaysia’s move towards e-invoicing is part of a broader effort to modernise tax administration under the Tax Reform Committee, established in 2018. The IRB first outlined plans for e invoicing in 2023 under the National e-Invoicing Initiative, citing the need to boost tax compliance, reduce fraud and improve efficiency. Initially scheduled for rollout in Aug 2025 for businesses with RM100 million annual revenue, the mandate has since been staggered. Following pushback from smaller enterprises, the government postponed implementation for MSMEs to January next year (for those earning RM1 million–RM5 million annually) and July 2026 (for those below RM1 million). The delays come amid industry concerns over readiness, cost and integration challenges, especially among micro-enterprises that lack the digital infrastructure of larger firms. Despite this, authorities have maintained that e-invoicing will be compulsory across the board, making preparation critical for long-term business resilience.

resources, automation helps cut time spent on repetitive tasks while improving cash flow visibility and accuracy.” Meanwhile, Chia, Ka & Partners (CKP) managing partner Jeremy Chia welcomed the government’s recent decision to delay the rollout of e invoicing, noting that many MSMEs are still unprepared. He said confusion remains rife, with some wrongly assuming e invoicing merely involves emailing invoices. “In reality, it means adopting structured data formats, ensuring secure submission via the MyInvois portal, and integrating systems in line with the framework of the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).” Chia said e-invoicing offers long term advantages, including faster payments, better financial oversight and reduced human error. “It will also nudge more SMEs to adopt monthly rather than annual accounting, improving financial transparency and record-keeping. “The shift will ease audits, enable better tax planning and accelerate digitalisation across the sector.”

o Survey of 500 MSMEs reveals nearly half overwhelmed by document digitising workload and lack of technical expertise

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

of data, while 45% cite limited internal technical expertise as a key barrier.” She added that such struggles are not unique to Malaysia, as small businesses globally face similar hurdles in adopting digital systems. Karen said mindset remains a major stumbling block as many still depend on spreadsheets or manual record keeping. “The attitude of ‘don’t fix what isn’t broken’ makes some hesitant to adopt digital tools, especially if they associate them with higher costs, complexity, or a steep learning curve.” Nevertheless, she urged MSMEs to embrace gradual digitalisation, saying that even small steps could deliver significant long-term gains. “Smaller businesses often benefit the most. With limited staff and

JOHOR Johor Department of Environment detected ammonia at a fire control post during a firefighting operation at an industrial facility storing engine oil and lorries at Jalan Cenderai 27, Taman Kota Puteri in Masai on Saturday. However, its director Dr Mohd Famey Yusoff said the reading, based on monitoring by his department since Saturday evening, did not reach the acute exposure guideline level-2 (AEGL-2), Bernama reported. He said AEGL-2 is the concentration in the air that can cause long-term irreversible or other adverse health effects. “(The reading) is not at the danger level. The reading (was) slightly high when the fire was not extinguished. It is possible that the reading today will be low,“ he said in a statement. He said monitoring was also carried out in the surrounding areas including at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Kota Puteri, explaining that no volatile organic compound readings were detected at all locations involved. He added that the air quality in the fire area and its surroundings was not worrying as no hazardous pollutants were detected, adding that air quality will continue to be monitored. Deputy chief of Zone I Senior Fire Superintendent Il Rosfarawadi Ismani BAHRU: The PETALING JAYA: A large number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are struggling to navigate Malaysia’s upcoming e-invoicing mandate, largely due to misinformation, manpower shortages and a persistent reliance on manual processes. This is the finding of global e-invoicing provider Xero, based on a recent survey involving 500 MSMEs across the country. “The ‘why’ is clear to most. It’s the ‘what’ and ‘how’ that businesses are grappling with,” Xero Asia managing director Karen Wines told theSun. “Many MSMEs lack dedicated finance or tech teams to lead the transition. In fact 49% report challenges in digitising large volumes

Ammonia detected during firefighting operation

The oil storage facility sustained damage of about 60% to its premises. – BERNAMAPIC

operations centre received an emergency call on the incident at 12.54pm and a total of 34 personnel and seven fire engines from six stations – Pasir Gudang, Johor Jaya, Tebrau, Kota Tinggi, Larkin, Mount Austin and Ulu Tiram – were involved in the operation. On arrival, firefighters found an

Ismail was reported to have said that five premises were burnt in the incident involving an area of about 1,000sq metres, including 15 vehicles. The fire broke out in the afternoon on Saturday at the industrial facility destroying about 60% of the premises. The Fire and Rescue Department

active blaze at the lorry depot, with flames spreading quickly due to strong winds and igniting a neighbouring disused oil storage area. No casualties were reported. It was reported that about 20 families living in Taman Megah Ria, near the fire location, had been ordered to temporarily vacate their homes.

Suspect arrested after allegedly assaulting senior citizen KOTA BHARU: Police have confirmed that a 75-year-old man was allegedly beaten by a man who was subsequently detained by the public in an incident that was widely circulated on Facebook on Friday. Tumpat district police chief ACP Mohd Khairi Shafie said police received a report regarding the incident at 8.38pm. He said the incident occurred at 8pm when the complainant was closing up his grocery store in Kampung Kebun, Pengkalan Kubor. “Suddenly, a man in his 30s entered the premises and started hitting the victim and injuring him,“ he said in a statement on Saturday. He added that members of the public managed to stop the suspect before they called the police and the

suspect was detained. Members of the public who have information related to the case are requested to contact Criminal Investigation officer Insp Mohammad Nurul Safwan Mohd Zambre at 09-725 7222. - Bernama