January 22, 2026
World
World
TOKYO, Jan 22 — Japan has halted the restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant just hours after it began, though the reactor remains “stable,” the operator said.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 — The public is being warned to stay alert to scam syndicates that may attempt to exploit the recently announced RM100 assistance under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said authorities anticipate renewed scam activity, with syndicates likely to pose as government representatives to trick the public into disclosing personal and banking information under the pretext of verifying aid eligibility.
These scammers typically impersonate officials via fake SMS, WhatsApp messages, or phone calls, often using phishing links that appear legitimate.
“Once they get access to sensitive information like bank account details, identity card numbers, or OTP codes, they can access and transfer funds from the victim’s account without their knowledge,” Rusdi said when contacted today.
Although no scam cases linked to the SARA programme have been reported so far, authorities remain concerned about the risk of exploitation, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals.
Rusdi urged the public to remain cautious and avoid sharing personal or financial details with unknown parties.
“Do not trust unsolicited calls, messages, or links claiming to be from government agencies offering assistance. Never click on suspicious links or enter personal information on unverified websites,” he warned.
He also reminded the public that all official information regarding government aid, including the SARA programme, should be obtained through authorised ministry or agency websites.
“The public is encouraged to thoroughly review eligibility requirements and programme details before taking any action,” he said, adding that even a small mistake, such as revealing an OTP code, could result in financial loss.
Rusdi stressed the importance of relying only on official government portals or recognised mainstream media for accurate and updated information.
On July 23, Anwar announced a one-off RM100 cash aid for all Malaysians aged 18 and above, to be disbursed via MyKad under the SARA initiative. The RM2 billion programme is expected to benefit 22 million people and will be available for use from August 31 to December 31, 2025. — Bernama
