KUALA LUMPUR: The Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2024, which were approved by the Dewan Rakyat on July 10 and 11 respectively, can strengthen efforts to investigate commercial crime cases.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the amendments include the addition of Sections 424A, 424B, 424C, and 424D of the Penal Code, as well as Section 116D of the Criminal Procedure Code.
"The amendment to the Penal Code relates to offences involving mule accounts, including possessing, controlling, transferring, and using ATM cards, credit cards, e-wallets, and any other payment instruments.
"The amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code grants police officers with a rank no lower than sergeant the authority to seize or block transactions related to financial dealings," he said during the monthly assembly at the federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) today.
Razaruddin said he believes the enforcement of these provisions will strengthen efforts and actions in investigating commercial crime cases, with harsher penalties for offences involving the use of mule accounts will help reduce commercial crime activities.
The Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2024, aimed at tackling the rising incidence of online financial fraud in the country, was unanimously passed through a voice vote on July 10, after a debate involving 21 members of parliament from both sides.
The Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2024, aimed at strengthening laws against online scams relating to mule accounts, received majority support on July 11, after 12 members of parliament, from both sides took part in the debate.