Only RM6.7m recovered from RM2.97b scams, Lim Guan Eng demands urgent action

PETALING JAYA, September 24 — Lim Guan Eng, the MP for Bagan, has called for immediate action from Bank Negara to combat digital fraud, cyber theft, and scams that are putting billions of ringgit in savings at risk. Numerous Malaysians, including professionals like doctors, engineers, and lawyers, have reported an influx of complaints to their elected officials.

Lim described this as a "national crime wave" that has devastated families and dashed hopes for a brighter future. He argued that relying solely on the police or the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is not sufficient, as these agencies lack the resources and expertise to handle the scale of the issue. Lim emphasized that banks play a crucial role in facilitating these digital crimes and suggested that financial institutions should suspend accounts displaying suspicious large withdrawals.

According to official statistics, only RM6.7 million has been recovered from the RM2.97 billion lost to scams in 2025, a recovery rate Lim termed "alarming and unacceptable." He insisted that Bank Negara should spearhead a comprehensive, cross-government effort to curb this surge in crime and safeguard the life savings of Malaysians.