Govt looking into caning for mule account offence

 

PARLIAMENT | The government is reviewing and considering a proposal to impose caning as an additional punishment for specific offences involving the misuse of mule accounts.

Deputy Home Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the proposal was put forward to address the threat posed by financial fraud syndicates, which have become increasingly complex.

"The ministry acknowledges the situation and is prepared to review the suitability of existing penalties, as well as conduct further analysis regarding their effectiveness, appropriateness, and implications within the nation's criminal legal framework.

"Given the increasingly challenging circumstances, this review will be carried out comprehensively through engagement and coordination with stakeholders, including the Attorney-General's Chambers and relevant ministries and agencies," he said.

He was replying to a question regarding the Triumph FX investment fraud case raised by Khoo Poay Tiong (Harapan-Kota Melaka) during the Special Chamber session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Shamsul also revealed that the Royal Malaysia Police had conducted 100,230 raids on fraud syndicate call centres between 2023 and August, resulting in the arrest of 9,159 individuals across the entire chain of syndicates.

He said of the total, action was taken against 36 masterminds, 74 managers, 165 supervisors, 118 individuals acting as financial managers or mule account operators, 132 information technology programmers, and 8,409 lower-level operators.

"From January to August this year alone, 3,395 raids were carried out, resulting in 3,128 arrests.

"These statistics demonstrate that the police continue to intensify enforcement actions to cripple the entire operational chain of these fraud syndicates," he said.

Shamsul said this approach is crucial to ensure that enforcement actions do not merely focus on low-level perpetrators but also target those who control, manage, and profit from the criminal activities.

- Bernama