KUCHING – Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang has stepped forward to strongly defend the rights of scam victims, calling for urgent and tougher measures to combat online fraud, especially those targeting the elderly and vulnerable.
The call comes after a 78-year-old resident in his constituency lost more than RM21,000 to a fake vegetarian food promotion scam on Facebook. The scammer tricked the elderly woman into downloading a malicious mobile app and sharing her ATM card details, leading to the complete drainage of her bank account.
Speaking at a press conference at the Batu Kitang Service Centre on Tuesday (5 August), Datuk Lo described the incident as “a wake-up call for the whole country” and stressed that current anti-scam mechanisms are not strong enough.
“This is not just about one victim. This is about thousands of others out there who are quietly suffering,” he said. “We need tougher laws, faster response times from authorities, and more public awareness.”
Datuk Lo praised the victim’s daughter for speaking up publicly and using social media to warn others. Her viral Facebook post has gained over 500,000 views and more than 1,500 shares — a clear sign that public frustration is growing.
He also pointed out a glaring issue — the Facebook page involved in the scam is still active, despite multiple reports from affected individuals. “This is unacceptable. We need direct cooperation between social media companies and Malaysian authorities to take down scam content quickly,” he added.
Datuk Lo called for:
- Stricter cybersecurity policies and faster investigation timelines
- Immediate action from banks to freeze suspicious transactions
- Enhanced digital literacy programs, especially for seniors
He reaffirmed his commitment to pushing for systemic changes and offering support to scam victims within his constituency.
“As a community leader, it is my responsibility to speak up and stand with my people,” he said. “We cannot allow these criminals to continue exploiting the innocent.” – SarawakTribune
