Kota Kinabalu: Sabah DAP chairman and Senator Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe has urged the Federal and Sabah Governments to thoroughly investigate an international media report alleging that scam syndicates previously operating in Cambodia have begun relocating to East Malaysia, particularly here and Semporna.
He said the allegations, regardless of whether the figures cited are ultimately verified, could affect Sabah's international reputation and called for a coordinated multi-agency investigation to ensure the State does not become a base for transnational scam syndicates.
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Phoong said Sabah had worked for years to restore confidence in its security, particularly along the east coast, warning that the presence of organised scam syndicates could undermine tourism, investor confidence and the State's standing as a world-class ecotourism destination.
He also pointed to recent police operations against scam syndicates in Tawau, Semporna and other parts of Sabah, as well as reports of suspicious rental activity involving foreign nationals here, saying these developments warranted closer scrutiny by the authorities.
Phoong proposed the immediate establishment of a special multi-agency task force to investigate the allegations, strengthen border controls and enforcement, review activities involving foreign nationals, improve intelligence sharing and enhance cooperation with regional law enforcement agencies to prevent Sabah from becoming a safe haven for transnational criminal syndicates.
