Enhance fraud detection, checking banking fraud

 

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Calls for improvements in detecting suspicious banking transactions

 KUALA LUMPUR: Banks and financial institutions are facing growing scrutiny on whether measures are in place to detect suspicious online transactions before customers fall victim to scams.

The issue has come under renewed focus following a Sessions Court ruling ordering a bank to compensate a customer RM166,000 over suspicious online transactions that went undetected.

As scams evolve, banks are facing heightened urgency to identify unusual transaction patterns and act fast, particularly as fraudsters exploit human behaviour and then move in to breach banking systems.

At a Bank Negara workshop on consumer protection and fair conduct reforms, its officers said existing laws protect the confidentiality of customer information and personal data in the financial sector.

“Financial institutions are robust but there is always room for improvements,” the officers said yesterday.

They said enforcement actions had been taken in instances where breaches were identified, including requiring the institutions involved to implement corrective action plans.

The officers also said Bank Negara continued to monitor banks on consumer protection and compliance matters.

In its latest annual report, the central bank stressed the need to strengthen fraud detection systems and reinforce internal safeguards to combat sophisticated online scams.

The central bank said banks and non-bank financial institutions were required to adopt advanced fraud detection measures and strengthen internal safeguards to quickly intercept suspicious transactions.

It also stressed for a proactive approach to prevent fraudulent transactions from escalating.

The central bank said that in recent years, financial institutions had strengthened various security measures including tighter fraud detection rules and triggers, cooling-off periods for new device registrations and stronger authentication methods.

These measures contributed to a 52% decline in unauthorised fraudulent transactions involving malware and phishing reported in 2024, and prevented over Rm399mil in attempted fraudulent transactions, it said.

However, Bank Negara also acknowledged that fraud patterns were becoming increasingly complex and harder to distinguish from genuine customer activity.

Bank Negara said banks and consumers shared responsibility for safeguarding digital banking security, but reiterated that financial institutions had to determine whether weaknesses in their internal controls contributed to fraud incidents.

It also introduced the Selfcompensation Framework for Fraud Transactions (SEFT) under its Policy Document on Ensuring Fair Treatment for Victims of Unauthorised e-banking Transactions.

SEFT outlines how banks should assess fraud cases and determine compensation based on the responsibilities of both financial institutions and customers.

According to Bank Negara, more than 95% of online fraud cases in Malaysia involved authorised transactions – where victims were manipulated into willingly transferring money to scammers.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) vice-president Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham agreed that banks should adopt more proactive intervention measures when transactions appear inconsistent with a customer’s normal behaviour.

“Banks are clearly not doing enough. Fraudsters now exploit human behaviour more than banking systems,” she said.

“Banks must transition from passive logging to active, pre-emptive intervention.”

https://www.thestar.com.my › nation › 2026/05/22 › sle...

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https://www.thestar.com.my › nation › 2026/05/22 › sle...

Let 2026 be a historic, landmark year that opens up a new chapter in China-US relations

 

China US Photo: VCG

US President Donald Trump concluded his state visit to China on Friday afternoon and departed Beijing on Air Force One. During this historic and landmark visit, mutual respect, valuing peace, and exploring cooperation were the overarching themes of the summit. The agreement reached by the two heads of state to build "a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability" is the most important political consensus and has attracted widespread attention from the outside world. An editorial in the South China Morning Post said this is "a realisation that the China-US relationship is so complex and consequential that they need to keep it stable - not only for the sake of the two peoples, but also for the international community." The article said that the summit in Beijing "heralds the start of constructive, stable relations."

Chinese President Xi Jinping used "four stabilities" to elaborate on the core essence of "a constructive relationship of strategic stability": a positive stability with cooperation as the mainstay, a sound stability with moderate competition, a constant stability with manageable differences, and an enduring stability with promises of peace. Some foreign media said that this is a layered structure of premise, pathway, key, and goal. Many analysts believe that the creative use of the concept of "strategic stability" by both sides has transcended the original meaning of crisis management between major powers during the Cold War, and has provided a new strategic framework for expanding pragmatic cooperation through healthy competition among major powers and managing differences in the new era.

It is not difficult to see that "a constructive relationship of strategic stability" has a rigorous theoretical logic and rich practical implications. The "four stabilities" mean that both sides should continuously enhance the resilience of China-US relations through exchanges and cooperation, avoid a zero-sum game, and ensure that bilateral policies do not fluctuate wildly, let alone lead to conflict, confrontation, or even war. These four stabilities are interconnected and organically unified, setting up a crucial protective net for China-US relations when facing storms and reefs, and providing fundamental impetus for this giant ship to sail in the right direction. Under the strategic guidance of this new positioning, this "most important bilateral relationship in the world today" has become more certain and predictable, which in itself is an important public good provided to the international community. It conforms to the trend of the times, responds to the greatest concerns of all parties, and its widespread welcome is inevitable.

The new positioning of China-US relations represents a recalibration of each side's goals and modes of interaction under new circumstances, addressing the overarching question of whether China and the US are rivals or partners. For some time, certain people in the US have viewed China's development as a "threat," defined China as a "rival," made "competition" the dominant framework of their China strategy, and even attempted to promote "decoupling" and the severing of supply chains. Facts have proven this way of thinking entirely wrong. China's growth is part of the historical trend, and any attempt to contain or suppress China is doomed to fail. "Decoupling" and supply-chain disruption ultimately harm both sides. The concept of "a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability" transcends the narrow zero-sum mindset of "your loss is my gain" or "your rise means my decline." It restores clarity to the true nature of China-US relations and reflects a sense of responsibility toward history, the people, and the world.

Positive cooperation, healthy competition, managing differences, and enduring peace are fully consistent with China's long-standing principles and propositions. These ideas have been widely welcomed by the international community and continuously tested in practice. This also demonstrates that China and the US are moving beyond a cycle of confrontation and negotiation toward gradually building consensus and clarifying direction, while deepening exploration of a new model for major-country relations. Today, dialogue between the two sides is more equal, communication more pragmatic, and red lines clearer, showing the possibility for China-US relations to open a new chapter through resilience. 

The proposal to build a "constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability" underscores China's consistent commitment to head-of-state diplomacy and its active efforts to promote a China-US relationship that is strategic, constructive, and stable, so that positive interaction between the two countries can bring greater stability to an unsettled world.

The US side has agreed to define the building of a "constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability" as the new positioning of bilateral ties. US President Donald Trump said that China-US relations will get "better than ever before." Responding to media questions on Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that bilateral relations are important and constructive, adding that world stability is in everyone's interest.

A "constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability" should not be a slogan, but must become a shared objective upheld by both sides and translated into joint actions. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and the world's two largest economies, China and the US should achieve peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, and find the right way to get along with each other. This is what the peoples of both countries desire and what people around the world hope to see. Expanding the list of cooperation while reducing the list of problems will require concrete actions to realize "constructive strategic stability" in China-US relations. 

China hopes the US side will demonstrate the responsibility expected of a major power through practical actions, work with China along the direction charted by the two heads of state, continue enriching the substance of this new positioning, and translate it into concrete policies and practical measures, jointly opening a new chapter in China-US relations. There is reason to believe that 2026 will become a historic, landmark year that opens up a new chapter in China-US relations.

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Harsh reality about estate planning in Malaysia

 

Filepic

OVER Rm90bil of wealth in Malaysia is currently frozen – not lost, not spent, just inaccessible.

Behind this staggering figure are families waiting months, sometimes years, to access money that could otherwise be used for mortgage payments, children’s education or medical bills.

This is the uncomfortable reality of estate planning in Malaysia. While many Malaysians work hard to build wealth through property, savings and investments, far fewer take the final step of ensuring that this wealth can be effectively passed on to their beneficiaries.

Estimates suggest that frozen estates in Malaysia have risen from Rm42bil in 2011 to as high as Rm90bil in recent years. According to a Bernama report in May last year, Rm13.3bil in unclaimed money was recorded by the Accountant General’s Department as of April 2025.

In news reports last year, Amanah Raya Berhad group managing director Ahmad Feizal Sulaiman Khan was quoted as saying that Rm65bil in assets, including real estate and cash belonging to deceased individuals, remain unclaimed due to lack of estate planning.

At the household level, this translates into delays, disputes and financial strain. At the national level, it represents idle capital that could otherwise contribute to economic activity.

Another reality that many overlook is that debts do not end when life does. Before any inheritance can be distributed, all of the deceased’s outstanding liabilities must be settled. This includes mortgages, personal loans, credit card balances and taxes.

In many cases, what appears to be a substantial estate might be reduced significantly after debts are cleared, leaving some families with far less than expected. In extreme cases, there may be nothing left at all.

Estate planning is often misunderstood as something complex or only relevant to the wealthy. In truth, it is a practical step that applies to anyone with dependents or assets.

From a practitioner’s perspective, three elements are critical.

First, legal clarity: A clear will or estate plan ensures that assets are distributed according to intention and reduces delays and disputes.

Second, debt awareness: Managing liabilities ensures that more of the estate can be preserved for beneficiaries rather than being consumed by obligations.

Third, liquidity planning: For families who need immediate access to funds, instruments such as insurance or structured arrangements can provide cash flow when it matters most without being tied up in legal processes.

These are not complicated strategies. They are basic safeguards that determine whether wealth can actually serve its purpose.

One of the biggest barriers to estate planning in Malaysia is attitude. Many people avoid the topic because it feels uncomfortable or premature while others assume they will get their assets without any complications.

But the evidence tells a different story. Failing to plan does not remove risk; it shifts the burden to the family often when emotions are high and urgent decisions must be made.

Estate planning should be viewed as a practical extension of responsible financial planning instead of a morbid exercise.

Ultimately, the true value of wealth lies not in how much we accumulate but in how effectively it protects the people we care about.

ASSOC PROF CHONG WEI YING Taylor’s Business School Taylor’s University

Workshops steering into scams

 
Motorists slammed with inflated bills for needless repairs

A mechanic repairing a car at a local workshop in Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star

PETALING JAYA: When Tan Chee Keong noticed unusual noises in his car, he did what any motorists would do – take the vehicle to a nearby workshop for checks.

Then came the shock – he was quoted close to RM20,000 for the repairs.

“They told me the steering rack, suspension system, mounting and several other components were all damaged,” the 69-year-old said.

Tan got suspicious when the mechanic failed to properly explain what the problem was.

“Some of what was pointed out did not match the issues I was having,” he said.

ALSO READ: Upfront pricing on auto repairs just a tap away

So, he sought a second opinion from another workshop.

“The mechanic checked the car, test drove it and found that only a few components needed changing. The repairs cost only RM6,000,” he said.

Tan’s case is not an isolated incident.

Many unscrupulous vehicle workshops are out to make a quick buck by “repairing” problems that do not exist

A Subang Jaya resident who wanted to be known as John took his wife’s sedan to a workshop last year after she complained of hearing some noises under the bonnet.

He said a workshop owner, whom he was familiar with, referred him to someone new, who he said was the chief technician.

“He hoisted the car up and took a cursory look at the absorbers and started to give a long list of parts that he said needed to be replaced.

“Besides the absorbers and the lower arms, he said the steering rack also needed changing.

“The quotation came up to RM7,000!” he said.

John then went for a second opinion with a trusted mechanic who told him only the absorbers needed to be replaced.

“I bought the parts elsewhere and he replaced them for me, charging me just RM300 for workmanship. The car runs fine till today,” he said.

Another motorist who wanted to be known as Raj, also experienced a car workshop trying to rip him off.

“The regular shopowner called in a worker I had not seen before to handle my complaints. The man said he was in charge of repairs and ordering parts.

“He said there were many parts that needed replacing, such as the fuel pump, mass airflow sensor, oxygen sensor and engine mounting.

“The estimate came up to several thousand ringgit. I was not happy and took my car elsewhere. And the car was fixed for a few hundred ringgit.”

This is daylight robbery,” he said.

For MK Leow, 29, his experience was slightly different.

When sending his car for servicing at an official service centre, he was hit with a quotation close to RM400.

“I just paid as I trusted the service advisor.

“But friends pointed out later that my bill was actually inflated with various add-ons that were not part of the mandatory service,” he said.

The add-ons included coolant sprays, ozone treatment service and more.

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Mixed property outlook amid higher oil prices

 High-rise and luxury segments seen most vulnerable

PPC International MD Datuk Siders Sittampalam

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s property market remains an appealing investment avenue despite increasing global uncertainties, according to industry experts.

PPC International Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Siders Sittampalam said the local property market remains attractive to investors despite the ongoing West Asia crisis.

“However, the appeal is likely to be selective rather than broad-based, with investment decisions increasingly adopting a sector-led approach.

“It is important to recognise that Malaysia’s property market continues to be driven largely by domestic fundamentals, rather than direct exposure to the Middle East,” he told StarBiz.

An analyst said investing in property during global economic uncertainty “still makes sense,” adding, however, that it is “no longer about riding a broad market upswing”.

“It’s about selectivity, resilience, and long-term thinking. Property remains attractive because it’s a tangible, income-generating asset.”

Amid uncertain times, he said investors often value “stability.”

“Real estate can provide relatively predictable rental income and act as a partial hedge against inflation. Compared to more volatile assets like equities, it tends to be less reactive to short-term global shocks.”

However, he said the current environment has changed the investment outlook.

“Higher construction costs, cautious lending and more price-sensitive buyers mean that not all properties will perform well. Oversupply in certain segments, especially high-density developments, can limit both rental yields and capital appreciation.

“At the same time, global uncertainties can affect job markets and consumer confidence, indirectly impacting demand,” he said.

Compared with many countries in the region, Siders noted that Malaysia’s political neutrality provides a degree of stability.

“As such, the crisis is expected to affect the market only indirectly, primarily through higher oil prices, inflationary pressures and shifts in investor sentiment.

“One key reason the market remains attractive is that, during periods of geopolitical uncertainty, investors tend to rotate away from volatile equities into hard assets such as real estate.”

Siders emphasised that property, particularly income-producing assets, is generally less sensitive to short-term volatility affecting equities and other financial instruments.

“That said, the principal risk lies in a prolonged period of elevated oil prices, which could translate into higher domestic transportation costs, increased steel and concrete prices, pressure on rental affordability and slower take-up rates for high-end residential properties.”

Collectively, Siders said these factors may erode household disposable income and temper overall market momentum.

“In my view, investment strategies should now be anchored on income generation and strong underlying fundamentals, rather than expectations of capital appreciation or speculative gains.”

One market observer said that in times of uncertainty, the key question isn’t whether to invest, but rather “how to invest.”

“Investors should focus on properties with strong fundamentals – good locations, access to infrastructure, proximity to employment hubs and realistic pricing.

“Rental demand is especially important now, as steady income can offset slower price growth. A longer investment horizon also becomes critical, since quick gains are less likely in a cautious market cycle.”

Amid current economic uncertainties, a property analyst said there would be an impact on the market should things escalate further or be prolonged.

In such a situation, he said the impact would vary depending on the property segment. He said high-rise condominiums, especially in Kuala Lumpur, would be the most vulnerable segment.

“This segment would be the hardest hit because buyers here are often investors or middle- to upper-income earners.”

He noted that this segment also tends to be more sensitive to economic uncertainty, rental yields and short-term sentiment.

“Should oil prices spike, investors here will likely pull back and there will be fewer speculative purchases.

“The number of expatriates would also shrink if the global economy slows. Moreover, rental demand for these types of properties could also soften.”

Ultimately, this could lead to slower price growth or stagnation for high-rise condominiums.

“There would be higher unsold inventory. This is already an issue for condominiums within the Klang Valley,” he said.

Similarly, luxury and high-end properties are also at high risk, he noted.

“This segment is highly dependent on foreign buyers and investor sentiment.

“Oil price spikes often come with global uncertainty, which reduces foreign inflows and makes buyers more cautious. In such situations, transactions within this segment could drop significantly and prices may stagnate or correct.”

On the flip side, he said affordable houses (or mass-market properties) would be the most resilient if global economic conditions continue to worsen.

“This segment holds up better because it is driven by genuine need for owner occupation rather than investment.

“It is also often supported by government schemes and financing access. Even if oil prices push up living costs, people still need homes.

“Demand may slow slightly, but the segment still remains relatively stable. Prices may still inch up, albeit more slowly.”

Nevertheless, higher oil prices equals higher fuel costs, he noted. “Therefore, commuting can become more expensive.

“In such cases, locations far from city centres may see reduced appeal, while well-connected areas (especially ones near mass rapid transits and light rail transits) will hold their value better.”    

By EUGENE MAHALINGAM eugenicz@thestar.com.my