Priya Patel
TLDR:
– The Malaysian Government is exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology for asset tracking and identification.
– The technology could be beneficial for agencies like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) in uncovering hidden wealth and tax evasion.
The Malaysian Government is considering the use of AI-backed asset tracking and identifying technology to improve the process of asset declaration and reporting in the country. This cutting-edge technology would be particularly useful for agencies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to investigate individuals suspected of hiding or undeclaring their wealth or evading taxes. However, the study of this AI-based technology is still in the preliminary stages, and there are several concerns that need to be addressed before implementation, such as data protection, privacy, and legal issues.
If approved and implemented, the AI-based technology could bring significant benefits to Malaysia by identifying undeclared, hidden, and camouflaged assets of politicians and public servants. The technology would be able to determine if an individual under scrutiny is attempting to hide assets and provide real-time data and recommendations for appropriate actions to the relevant government agencies.
Last year, the MACC announced its plans to review the mechanism for asset declarations to improve transparency and accountability among politicians and public officials. The current mechanism may be refined to ensure that asset declarations provide a clearer picture of an individual’s actual wealth. The MACC has the authority to investigate individuals with extravagant lifestyles beyond their income level and false declarations.
The use of AI technology by the Malaysian government is not entirely new. In 2020, the Malaysian judiciary made history by using AI in sentencing individuals convicted of drug-related crimes. However, the use of the technology, known as AiCOS (artificial intelligence in court sentencing), faced criticism from the Malaysian Bar Council during a pilot project in Sabah and Sarawak. Currently, AiCOS is only used for cases related to possession of scheduled drugs, but further studies are being conducted to explore its use in sentencing recommendations for other types of crimes.
In conclusion, the Malaysian Government is considering the use of AI-backed asset tracking and identifying technology to enhance the asset declaration and reporting system. If implemented, this technology could facilitate the detection of hidden assets and tax evasion, benefiting agencies like the MACC and LHDN. However, further research is necessary to address concerns surrounding data protection, privacy, and legal issues before a decision can be made on implementation.
