Kuching: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong Wui Wui has urged the Ministry of Finance to urgently tighten security measures for the RM100 “Sumbangan Tunai” initiative, citing risks of fraud and misuse of MyKad-linked benefits.
Yong said while the financial aid is designed to help ease the rakyat’s burden, its current system leaves beneficiaries vulnerable to theft and fraud.
She noted that cases have emerged where stolen or misplaced MyKads were used by third parties to redeem the RM100, depriving rightful recipients of their entitlement.
“The MyKad is not only our national identification document but also a key to financial aid. Victims often lose their RM100 entitlement before they even realise their card is missing,” she said in a statement.
To address the issue, Yong proposed several safeguards, including the introduction of a mandatory PIN or biometric verification, a 24/7 hotline and online portal for instant loss reporting, transaction alerts via SMS or email, and a nationwide awareness campaign on protecting MyKad security.
She stressed that such measures are necessary to ensure every ringgit of public assistance reaches its intended recipients and is not siphoned off by opportunistic criminals.
“The Madani government deserves credit for providing direct aid to ease the cost of living. But without robust security measures, the programme risks becoming an easy target for fraudsters,” Yong warned.
She called on the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the National Registration Department and relevant agencies, to act swiftly to safeguard the integrity of the programme.
