Kuching: DAP Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen has called on Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) to take full responsibility and compensate a couple whose lifetime savings of RM400,000 allegedly went missing due to misconduct by a BSN staff member.
Chong said the couple, Dr Alex Pega and his wife, Leona Hetty, had their savings invested in Amanah Saham Berhad (ASB) for their children’s education.
“About two months ago, they were introduced to a financial product known as BSN Takaful Makmur, and they came in contact with a BSN employee for further information about the said financial product.
“After meeting with the BSN officer and receiving her briefing, they agreed to withdraw their ASB savings and reinvest them into BSN Takaful Makmur,” he said.
According to Chong, they were given the relevant forms to sign, and following that, each of them received what appeared to be an official receipt acknowledging an investment of RM200,000 each.
“At all times, the funds were transferred directly from Dr Alex’s ASB account and from his wife’s BSN savings account, both in cash, within the BSN branch, and Dr Alex and his wife never handled any of the money themselves.
“All these were handled by BSN staff behind the counter, and the whole transactions were carried out in BSN’s office,” he said.
The alarm was raised when the couple learned that the officer involved had been suspended over issues related to the same financial product.
“BSN later confirmed that no accounts existed under the couple’s names and no deposits had been made,” Chong said.
He added that a police report has been lodged and a formal dispute claim has been filed with BSN, stressing that he and his assistant, Michael Kong, will continue to assist the couple in pursuing the matter fully.
Chong emphasised the seriousness of the case, saying:
“This is a matter that goes to the very fundamental integrity and accountability of a financial institution and public confidence in our banking system.
“Besides the police investigation on the matter, we shall also help to bring the matter to the attention of the Ministry of Finance and Bank Negara Malaysia for further action and investigation,” he stressed.
He pointed out that BSN must take responsibility, particularly when their own staff were involved in the alleged misconduct, and all transactions occurred within their branch premises.
