ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has called for action to combat the alarming surge in commercial crime cases, with RM166.3 million in losses reported since the beginning of this year.
Onn Hafiz said the surge in fraud-related cases was concerning, with 2,616 cases reported between Jan 1 and Sep 30, this year.
"We must find solutions to combat this rising menace effectively," he said during the State Security Working Committee meeting he chaired at the state administration centre at Bangunan Dato' Jaafar Muhammad in Kota Iskandar, near here, today.
"With a staggering RM166.3 million losses reported, the urgency to combat this escalating issue has become apparent. A comprehensive solution to address the issue must be taken.
"These measures should include enhanced enforcements against fraudsters and scammers and awareness programmes to educate members to ensure they do not fall prey to fraudsters," he said.
Fraud cases including non-existent loans and investments, phone scams, fake job offers, online purchases, and impersonation scams, has reached alarming levels in the state.
Onn Hafiz also called for the people to exercise vigilance and caution, when approached by strangers directly or online, offering lucrative deals.
The meeting was attended by federal and state government agencies including representatives from the police and its special branch, commander of the 7th Brigade, state security director and Johor national security council, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and information department, among others.
Onn Hafiz said that in pursuit of Johor's vision as a progressive state by 2030, the collaborative efforts of security and enforcement agencies are crucial.
The security committee acts as the steering body to execute security plans, by establishing strategic agenda, goals, and concrete measures.