110 illegal ads pulled down in Keningau
KENINGAU: One hundred and ten unauthorized and illegal advertisements were seized and pulled down by Sabah Zone Mortgage and Pawn Lender (BPWG) Division Investigation and Monitoring Unit of the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry in an operation called Ops Carik, at three locations here yesterday .
Head of BPWG Unit, Superintendent Mohd Noor Mohamad who led the operation, told a press conference here that action would be taken on the unauthorized and illegal advertisements.
“Illegal advertisement is an offence under Section 11 (2) of the Money Lenders Act 1951,” he said.
According to him, the offence carries a fine of not more than RM10,000 or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.
He said the operation, from 10am to 1.30pm, was held at Keningau Plaza, Pegalan Shopping Complex and Bariawa Shopping Complex.
Mohd Noor said a briefing on the operation was held at the District Council which was also attended by District Council executive officer Mohd Rafik Haji Jubar.
“The agencies involved in this operation were Sabah BPWG, Keningau Police Commercial Crime Investigation Division and Keningau District Council Enforcement Unit,” he said.
Mohd Noor said the purpose of the operation was to make money lending companies aware that there were laws to be complied with when offering money lending services.
He said the illegal advertisements were believed to be from illegal moneylenders, or ‘Along’.
“This operation also gives awareness to the local community to not be deceived by promises of unlicensed moneylenders,” he said.
He advised people in the district to take loans from licensed financial institutions and licensed money lending companies.