The Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia, Building Management Association of Malaysia, Malaysia Shopping Malls Association, and Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association said enforcement should remain the sole responsibility of law enforcement agencies.

“We have full confidence in the criminal investigation authorities and their expertise in identifying and addressing criminal activities,” they said in a joint statement today.

The associations said that detecting scam operations requires specialised skills and investigative tools, which landlords, property owners and management bodies do not possess.

“It is both illogical and impractical to hold them responsible as we are in no position nor have any power to monitor and/or control illegal activities.”

On March 5, Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department director Ramli Yoosuf said property owners, joint management bodies and security companies could face legal consequences if found complicit or negligent in allowing such operations.

“We’ve received intelligence that some security companies, owners and condominium joint management bodies are aware of criminal or suspicious activities happening on their premises,” Ramli had said.

However, the associations insisted that tenancy agreements already require tenants to use premises only for legal and moral purposes.

“These are legal obligations that clearly spell out the ‘dos and don’ts’ between the contracting parties, based on the good faith principle, which would protect both tenants and landlords while minimising illegal activities.”

As such, the four associations have called for the immediate withdrawal of the proposal.

“We trust the authorities will recognise the true and practical solution to the situation and act accordingly to ensure scam activities are thwarted the soonest possible.”