Beware of credit card scam

Tang thanking Lim (Photo taken from Sin Chew Daily)

Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/11/9/central/5068543&sec=central

(By PRIYA MENON, 9/11/2009)

Next time you apply for credit cards at shopping complexes or any other outlets beware as you may become a victim of credit card fraud. When, Tang Yong Seng from Segambut, KL, applied for a credit card at a mall, he did not realise the photostat copy of the application with his signature and personal details could be used to make new cards. Three years ago, Tang’s identity was used in two different modus operandi by a fraud syndicate without his knowledge. The syndicate used his name to apply for new credits cards and even reported his existing credit card missing in order for a new card to be delivered to them. He has been running to and fro to the relevant agencies like the Bank Negara, the five local and international banks involved in the problem as well as the police.

Tang also sought the assistance of Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng who has been acting as his lawyer as well. He has been billed for extravagant purchases like air tickets worth RM2,000, water filter system and jewellery worth RM5,400. After conducting an investigation, two of the banks admitted the claims were fraud and Tang was not required to settle the bills. However, one bank insisted Tang settled the payments and even took the case to court despite three police reports as well as a letter by Lim explaining the situation.
After two years in court, a full trial was fixed on Nov 5 but during the hearing, the lawyers for the bank concerned withdrew the charges without any explanation. Lim said many people were unaware of the seriousness of the issue and ignore the summonses from the court. Lim added that the government’s move to charge RM50 for each credit card per year was not feasible and did not solve the problem.

No CF for all buildings in PKFZ except one

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/116728 (S Pathmawathy, 5/11/2009)

… Segambut DAP MP Lim Lip Eng said that the PAC report also revealed that all buildings and construction in PKFZ, except one, did not have any certification of fitness (CF).

"What will happen if these buildings suddenly collapse or if there was a fire, who will bear the responsibility?" he asked.
He urged the government to freeze Chan and Phang's local and overseas assets just as it was done to assets of PKFZ's turnkey developer, Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB).

We have been cheated, say Chinese women

Sticky situation: Zhu (right) and Qiu showing their certificates as Chinese medicine practitioners. Lim is holding their graduation card.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/10/31/central/5012297&sec=central (By PRIYA MENON, 31/10/2009)

Two young Chinese nationals from Shandong, China, were lured to Malaysia with the promise of a better future and huge salary working as Chinese traditional medicine practitioners. But little did the two unsuspecting women know that their job would include massaging people’s feet at a reflexology outlet. They were promised by agents from both China and Malaysia a basic salary of RM1,800, including coverage of medical bills by the company. “We were told to pay RMB 18,000 (RM9,000) for the purpose of getting legal documents including work permits and a visa but that time we only paid RMB 5,000 (RM2,500),” said one of the victim Zhu Xinhong, 24. The rest of the money was supposed to be deducted from their salaries once they started working in Malaysia. They arrived in Kuala Lumpur on April 30 and started work on May 1 at the company’s outlet in Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang. According to their contract, food expenses for the first three months would be covered by the employer and now the women are finding it difficult to make ends meet. “They do not give us a fixed salary, sometimes they pay us RM1,400 and sometimes RM500 a month but they have not got us legitimate work papers,” said another victim Qiu Meijuan, 24.

Unable to stomach the problems any longer, the women sought the help of Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng who held a press conference yesterday. Lim said both women entered the country using tourist visas which expired in June. But they cannot go home as the employer is holding their passports. Both the workers who appealed to the Chinese Embassy were told to surrender themselves at the Immigration Department due to the visa expiry date. “If they were to surrender, they would be locked up for an indefinite period. But, if they can buy their own flight tickets then they will be escorted to KLIA immediately,” added Lim. In order for Qiu and Zhu to return home, they want their employer to pay for the air fare, give them the balance of their salary and return their passports. “There are four other Chinese nationals with us in Bukit Tinggi suffering the same fate,” added Zhu.

Under section 12 (1) (f) of the Passports Act 1966, any person without lawful authority having in his possession a passport belonging to another, the person can be liable to a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or five years’ jail or both. The same fine is applicable for those who have exceeded their visa or permit in Malaysia under Section 15 of the Immigration Act 1959/63. “I will discuss this issue with the employer. They were supposed to get back to me last Tuesday but they have failed to do so,” added Lim.
However, later in the day, a man claiming to be the owner of the chain of outlets visited Lim at his service centre. He claimed that both the women were troublemakers and the management had caught them doing illegal activities at the centre. “So we took disciplinary action by cutting their salaries,” he said. The man added that he did not have the women’s passports. He said an agent who is now getting work permits for them was holding on to them. “But that does not change the fact the women were brought in with tourists visas and the visas have expired, thus making it illegal,” Lim said.

Noh: More study needed on managing tolled highways

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/30/parliament/5005724&sec=parliament (30/10/2009)

The Government is in its second stage of studying issues related to the managing of tolled highways, said Minister in the Prime Ministers Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. These included profit and loss, performance of the concessionaires, highway traffic proposal and the impact of building tolled highways had on development along the economic corridors and its multiplying effects for the country’s economy, he said.

Nor said this in a written reply to Tan Kok Wai (DAP – Cheras) and Lim Lip Eng (DAP – Segambut) on the progress since the Govern-ment announced it would study the possibility of taking back the management of highways.

He said the study was being refined to ensure that the Government’s action could be implemented with minimal financial implications. It should also not disturb the market sentiment and long-term local and international investments, he added. “This thorough and deep study was important for finding the best long-term solution for all parties.”
At the same time, the Government had introduced two short-term solutions – not raising certain toll rates while introducing the 20% rebate to frequent Touch ‘n Go users, he said.

Parliament: KPI for 1Malaysia F1

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/26/nation/20091026141442&sec=nation (26/10/2009)

The Malaysian Formula 1’s performance was hotly discussed Monday in the House and it was suggested that a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) be created to measure the team’s success.

“Can the Government give an assurance to the people that it will not bail out the 1Malaysia F1 team if it suffers huge losses and cannot continue on its own? What if the team comes in last in the F1? This would bring embarrassment to Malaysians,” said Lim Lip Eng (Segambut-DAP) in his supplementary question to the Youth and Sports Ministry. "Since this project involves the policy and slogan ‘1Malaysia’ that was launched by the Prime Mnister, where the people come first and performance is a priority, would the Government monitor the KPI of the team and announce it to the public?” he said.

Datuk Razali Ibrahim (Muar-BN) replied that the name for the F1 team would be revealed after it has got sponsors and it would not necessarily use the slogan “1Malaysia. Maybe we would use ‘1Malaysia Lotus F1’ team. The Prime Minister said that support would be given because it is an initiative by a local company. “Naturally, all initiatives done for Malaysia will continue to receive support from the Government, and the Government will continue to ensure that the decision made is a success for the people,” he said. Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud) also suggested that a KPI could be created to gauge not only the team’s performance on the podium but also its effectiveness in promoting the country as a tourist destination. Razali defended the F1 initiative, claiming that the exposure Malaysia gains from its F1 team would save the country millions in advertising expenditure. “The exposure would be enormous. For now, we have to pay RM1mil for a one-minute advertisement in Japan. With the F1 team, we have huge advertisement time,” he claimed.

Earlier, Lim asked the ministry to reveal the Government’s investment in the project and whether it would be financially beneficial to the Government over the next five years.
Razali said the country would benefit from the branding and marketing strength of the F1 sport which has about 600 million fans worldwide and is one the most popular sports around. “With telecasts several times a year in strategic locations worldwide, this would promote Malaysia continuously to stimulate our tourism industry. “Malaysia will also be proud of the F1 car as it is produced locally and its components are from Malaysia. This would increase the profiles of local companies and also boost the world’s confidence in sophisticated Malaysian technology. The 1Malaysia F1 Team would also provide space to develop and expand local talent in automotive and motor sports,” he said.