Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee called on property owners to conduct proper identity verification and carry out regular inspections of their properties that are rented out to tenants.
He said landlords play a crucial role in helping law enforcement agencies to curb scam-related activities by conducting proper background checks on prospective tenants and regularly monitoring their premises.
“When renting out premises, landlords must conduct proper identity verification and carry out regular inspections of their properties.
“Landlords must also be wary of tenants who refuse to provide official identification or sign tenancy agreements, avoid interaction with neighbours, or those displaying unusual living arrangements,” he said in a statement.
Yong commended Sabah Police Contingent led by State Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun for their swift and decisive action against international online scam syndicates, which led to the arrest of 341 individuals who sought to establish a foothold in Sabah.
In the crackdown between January and June 8 known as Ops Pelican, 12 operations were conducted in Sabah and Labuan, which saw the seizure of sophisticated equipment, including satellite receivers, and assets worth RM1.1 million.
Yong said the success of the operation confirmed that Sabah is confronting highly organised criminal networks, sending a clear message that the State will not tolerate such illicit activities.
However, Yong said this breakthrough also exposes a serious threat showing that these syndicates, composed primarily of foreign nationals, entered the country on tourist visas and have been operating openly from private bungalows, hotels and apartments for two to three months before detection.
“By embedding themselves within our residential communities, they have placed our citizens at risk and inflicted reputational damage upon Sabah.
“This evil (scam) must be nipped in the bud before these syndicates become entrenched, for the longer they operate, the more difficult they become to dismantle.
“Therefore, the Government and all relevant authorities are called upon to provide the police with every necessary resource to sustain and intensify these operations to eradicate online fraud syndicates from our shores entirely.
“People must be vigilant, report suspicious activities,” he said.
At the same time, Yong urged the public to promptly report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
He said these include the sudden arrival of large groups of foreign nationals, unusual movements at odd hours, or any abnormal behaviour involving tenants in residential areas.
“Law enforcement cannot succeed alone, because these syndicates thrive on anonymity and the silence of those around them. Every Sabahan must remain vigilant, with a special appeal directed to property owners and landlords.
“Therefore, public cooperation is essential in helping the authorities identify and prevent illegal operations before they become entrenched in our communities,” he said.
Beyond physical vigilance, Yong emphasised the importance of raising public awareness about online scams, noting that informed communities are less likely to fall victim to fraudulent schemes.
“Public awareness is our first line of defence against falling prey to online scams,” he said.
