MIRI: Miri MP Dr Michael Teo has expressed his concern about the unhealthy growth of various business scams happening here, especially those done through the information and communications technology (ICT) as well as social media.
“Business and investment scams, which are classified under commercial crimes, are not something new to the country as other countries are also facing the same problem.
“Thus, there is a need for us to have a specific department to monitor closely this sub-category of commercial crime,” he told reporters during a press conference at the conference room of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Miri office yesterday.
Dr Teo, who is the party’s branch chairman, believed that the government through its relevant authorities had done its part in addressing this problem.
Still, he felt that the government should intensify its existing efforts in putting a stop to these shady business and investment schemes.
“The government should also run more public talks on business and investment scams to give awareness of the need to check the status of companies through reliable sources such as Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) before proceeding to invest,” he said.
PKR Women national vice-chief Voon Shiak Ni said scammers nowadays ‘are more advanced in their tactics’.
“To convince potential investors, they would set up a company and whitewash it – showing only the impressive parts.
“The scammers even show clients their business investments have close links with reputable financial institutions.
“This is what the public should be careful of,” she said.
At the same press conference later, Miri PKR Youth chief Steve Teo Jia called for efforts to make the Labour Office on the top floor of the Federal Complex here more user-friendly.
“The Federal Complex is a four-storey building. PKR Miri has been receiving complaints, particularly from those with mobility problem struggling to go up the staircase to the office.
“I feel the management should look into the matter. They could provide lifts or move the Labour Office to the ground level,” he suggested.