SANDAKAN: Sabah recorded an increase of 129 fraudulent crime cases this year compared to the same period last year.
Sabah Police Commissioner, Datuk Jauteh Dikun, said as of July 19 this year, 800 fraud cases were reported throughout Sabah.
“The victims involved in these cases come from various backgrounds and ages.
“Sabah PDRM, together with various parties including the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF), continue to hold various awareness programmes about fraud and scams within the community,” he said.
Jauteh said, so far, there is no scammer centre based in Sabah.
He advised the public to immediately contact the police or relevant authorities if they received a suspicious call to avoid fraud involving millions of ringgit and significant losses, often triggered by sophisticated technology.
“Therefore, be vigilant and avoid being easily deceived by offers from phone calls that promise easy investments and gifts without any valid reason,” he said during after PDRM Sabah Contingent 2024 Town Hall Discussion Programme “Stop Scammers and Drugs” at the Sandakan Community Hall on Friday.
The panel included Jauteh, Chairman of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) Sabah Tan Sri Goh Tian Chuan (JP), Dean of the Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Sandakan Associate Prof Dr Azwan Awang and moderator Dr Intan Soliha Ibrahim from UMS.
Also among those present were Libaran Member of Parliament Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, Sabah Contingent Crime Prevention and Community Security Department Head SAC Mohd Azhar Hamin, Tanjong Papat Assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung, Sungai Manila Assemblyman Datuk Mokran Ingkat, Sungai Sibuga Assemblyman Datuk Mohd Hamsan Awang Supain, Gum-Gum Assemblyman Arunarsin Taib, Sandakan Acting Chief of Police Ramasamy Kuppan, Sabah MCPF Deputy Chairman Dr KH Tan.
Regarding drug cases involving school students, Jauteh said although the number of cases had decreased, efforts need to be continuously improved to educate students about danger of drugs.
This includes the involvement of School Liaison Officers (PPS) in schools who convey information about danger of drugs and other crimes.
Concerning the development of the “Mushroom” flavour in vape electronic cigarettes, Jauteh said it had not been introduced or detected among school students in Sabah, and his team is constantly monitoring the situation.
Jauteh also said the use of ketum in the state is becoming increasingly worrying, with some individuals misusing the substance by mixing it with other substances that negatively affect them.
Goh said Sabah MCPF is always committed to working with the Sabah PDRM to combat scammers and drug activities through awareness programmes, including those held in schools.
He also hoped the government would review the existing drug laws to ensure appropriate legal action against offenders.
Malaysia is often associated with being a drug transit hub, and therefore, efforts to combat the drug problem should be intensified over time.
