KUALA LUMPUR: The surge in phone scams across Malaysia and Southeast Asia is more than just a cybercrime trend —it is a deeply rooted social issue that reflects a blend of psychological manipulation, socio-economic hardship and sophisticated criminal syndicates, said Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy. Sundramoorthy, a senior criminologist, said the persistence of these scams despite…
The police force, comprising nearly 137,000 dedicated men and women, is a cornerstone of Malaysia’s internal security and public order. However, recent debates surrounding promotions, especially at senior levels, have reignited long-standing concerns over the integrity and effectiveness of career mobility and succession planning within the force. At the heart of the public discourse is…
GEORGE TOWN: The recent arrest of enforcement officers at several airports has revived concerns over corruption and systemic failure in Malaysia’s immigration system. The officers were allegedly involved in “counter-setting,” where immigration counters were pre-assigned to enable the illegal entry of foreigners in exchange for bribes. Criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said this pointed to…
GEORGE TOWN: As calls to ban tampered vape products such as K-Pod grow louder, experts have warned that an outright ban may backfire, exacerbating the problem rather than solving it. They say addressing the issue requires political will, inter-agency coordination, psychological insight and, above all, compassion. Universiti Sains Malaysia criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy described…
KUALA LUMPUR: Placing the police as the lead agency for the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) is a timely and necessary move, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said this step is vital as scam cases in Malaysia continue to rise at an alarming rate, causing significant financial…
KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry revealed that the majority of criminal cases in Malaysia are linked to drug abuse. Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said the finding was based on an analysis of 1.2 million crime data records compiled by the police using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Saifuddin said three main drug-related offences identified in…
PETALING JAYA: Educational institutions in Malaysia need to build a system where safety protocols, from staff vigilance to student awareness, are embedded into daily routines, says criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy. “University campuses are supposed to be secure sanctuaries for intellectual growth, self-discovery and personal safety. “While universities often claim to have around-the-clock security and…
KUALA LUMPUR: The Madani government has agreed to expand the role of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) to cover all forms of cybercrime, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. He said a nationwide 24-hour response network, coordinated across multiple government agencies, would also be established to enhance cybercrime response capabilities. “The strengthening of…
