24/10/2025

FRIDAY | OCT 24, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

Two-SIM limit per telco timely move to curb scams

Over 4,200 speed limiter verification notices issued

BENTONG: A total of 4,295 notices for speed limiter device (SLD) installation verification have been issued to heavy vehicle owners to date, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said the notices were issued to ensure all heavy vehicles comply with the requirement to install the system for the safety of road users. “When a notice is issued, vehicle owners are given 14 days to verify that the SLD has been installed and return to the Road Transport Department (RTD) for confirmation. If they comply within the stipulated period, no further action or summons will be taken,” he said after officiating at the new Bentong RTD branch office yesterday. Also present were State Felda Affairs, Cooperatives and Entrepreneurs Committee chairman Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman and RTD director general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli. Loke said enforcement of SLD compliance has shown positive results, with more heavy vehicle operators coming forward to install the system after notices were issued. In addition, he said the RTD is actively enforcing the wearing of seat belts in express buses and buses owned by higher education institutions. On the new Bentong RTD branch office, Loke said the facility, which sits on 1.58 acres, was developed under the 11th Malaysia Plan at a cost of RM10.4 million. “Construction began on March 20, 2023, under continuous monitoring by the Transport Ministry and RTD. The building was handed over to RTD on Aug 6 this year and began full operations on Sept 8,” he said. – Bernama Move against ex-husbands shirking financial support KUALA LUMPUR: The government is taking steps to empower Syariah Courts to seize the financial savings of ex-husbands who evade paying court-ordered nafkah (financial support), said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar. He said the Family Support Division, under the Malaysian Syariah Judiciary Department, has held discussions with Bank Negara Malaysia to facilitate the move through a Syariah Court order. “This initiative will be carried out by the Family Support Division and discussions with Bank Negara have already taken place,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during a question-and answer session yesterday. He was responding to a supplementary question from Dr Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN–Jerlun), who asked about mechanisms to monitor and ensure that bank accounts of ex-husbands or fathers who fail to pay maintenance can be frozen or seized. Mohd Na’im said the government is also stepping up enforcement and strengthening the execution of court orders through various legal avenues to ensure that women and children entitled to financial support receive justice. He added that the division is working to raise awareness among other family members who are legally and religiously responsible for providing child support to ensure they fulfil their obligations under Islamic law. Enforcement efforts are also being intensified through cooperation with several government agencies to trace employers and the latest addresses of judgment debtors who fail to comply with court orders. These agencies include the Inland Revenue Board, Road Transport Department, Companies Commission of Malaysia, Social Security Organisation and National Registration Department. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: The government’s plan to cap prepaid SIM ownership at two numbers per person per telco is being hailed as a timely strike against online scams – but experts warn it targets only the infrastructure, not the wider ecosystem fuelling digital fraud. Universiti Teknologi Mara cybersecurity expert Assoc Prof Dr Muhamad Khairulnizam Zaini said the move can disrupt criminal operations and make illicit numbers easier to trace. “Previously, syndicates could register up to 25 disposable SIM cards per person, making it difficult for enforcement agencies to track them. This anonymity made scams, phishing and other cybercrimes much easier,” he said. “By imposing a two-SIM limit per telco, the government is taking a good step. Once numbers become traceable, it’s harder for criminals to hide – weakening their network operations.” However, he cautioned that the rule tackles o Enforcement must also focus on social media, messaging apps by requiring stricter verification to eliminate malicious accounts, says academic Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com PUTRAJAYA: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has shot down claims that Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel stormed Masjid Rusila in Marang, Terengganu during a training exercise, calling it a “misrepresentation of facts that had already been resolved.” He said the incident, raised in Parliament by Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, was part of a Survival and Evasion training module by MMEA’s elite commando unit in September. “Six trainees from the commando programme stopped briefly to perform Asar prayers at the mosque. I have reviewed all CCTV footage. There was nothing unusual,” he said after the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday. A police report was lodged by the mosque imam on Sept 29, 10 days after the incident. Police later met the mosque management and Marang MP Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, who is also PAS president, to clarify the situation. “The conclusion was clear. There was no misconduct or disturbance, only a misunderstanding. Both parties were satisfied and the matter was settled amicably,” Saifuddin said. He criticised Takiyuddin for reviving the issue and comparing it to the 1985 Memali tragedy, calling the comparison “irresponsible and insensitive”. “Let’s be fair when conveying information, both in and outside Parliament. Using this issue Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

“A rigid two-per-telco cap could raise their costs or reduce efficiency,” he said, suggesting legitimate users be allowed extra lines with proper documentation. He added that limiting foreigners to two prepaid numbers might push migrant workers, students and tourists towards the black market for unregistered SIMs. On the Digital ID-linked registration, Saravanan said the system could strengthen authentication but must ensure data privacy. “If consumers are required to link their numbers to a national digital identity, the government must guarantee their personal data won’t be misused, shared or leaked,” he said, calling for tighter oversight under the Personal Data Protection Act. He noted that pre-registered SIMs remain openly sold on online marketplaces – a loophole that will persist unless authorities coordinate stronger crackdowns with telcos and e-commerce platforms. Saravanan said the new SIM cap and Digital ID integration are steps in the right direction, but success depends on strict, transparent enforcement. “Consistent audits, visible penalties and real-time data coordination between MCMC, telcos and law enforcement are essential to stay ahead of scammers,” he said. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching told Parliament on Wednesday that the policy, expected to take effect in early 2026, aims to curb fraud, misinformation and organised crime exploiting multiple prepaid registrations. Currently, individuals may register up to five SIM cards per telco - a loophole syndicates have long abused to operate anonymously.

only one layer of cybercrime. “Enforcement must also focus on the platforms themselves. Social media and messaging apps should be required to adopt stricter verification, such as Know Your Customer checks integrated with the national Digital ID system. Anyone registering an account should undergo proper verification using MyDigital ID to eliminate anonymous or malicious accounts,” he said. Last September, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that all prepaid SIM registrations will require MyDigital ID verification starting next year. Muhamad Khairulnizam said linking SIM registration to MyDigital ID and applying multi-factor authentication would strengthen identity security, but public awareness campaigns remain vital to “immunise society” against scams. Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah welcomed the move but warned it could prove “cosmetic” if enforcement remains weak. “Even under the current five-SIM limit, syndicates easily bypassed regulations by exploiting poor dealer verification, weak ID checks and the rampant sale of pre-registered SIMs,” he said. “Without strict verification and enforcement against complicit dealers, fraudsters can still obtain dozens of active lines using stolen or recycled identities.” Saravanan also cautioned that the restriction could inconvenience small business owners, gig workers and delivery riders who rely on multiple lines for coverage or cheaper data.

Minister refutes claims of MMEA storming mosque

Saifuddin (centre) at the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly at Komplex Setia Perkasa in Putrajaya yesterday. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

was used only as a rest stop after prayers. Meanwhile, Saifuddin said the ministry will verify whether an Interpol red notice has been issued to locate the son-in-law of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). He said the Immigration Department had received a request from MACC to cancel the individual’s passport, but the process is still under review. “The Interpol process is handled by the police. If an agency like MACC wants to include someone on the list, it must be done through the police,” he said.

to stir religious sentiment is dangerous. The Memali incident involved loss of life. It should never be exploited for political mileage,” he said. He reminded lawmakers to act responsibly when raising issues involving enforcement agencies or houses of worship. On Oct 22, MMEA director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah dismissed the claims as “baseless and malicious”, stressing the agency has “never and will never use any house of worship as a raid or operation site”. He said the training was part of the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape module by the Special Task and Rescue Team, and the mosque