KUALA LUMPUR: A whopping sum of RM11bil of monies belonging to the rakyat remains unclaimed, as of last month, and should be returned to the rightful owners, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said the monies owed to the public by companies had since passed to the Accountant-General’s Department, which is the custodian under the Unclaimed Moneys Act of 1965.
"The unclaimed monies are from forgotten bank accounts, uncashed cheques, insurance policies and deposits.
"However, this huge sum has not been lying idle. The Government has been investing in fixed deposits and the interest earned is used for the people, according to Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan," he said in a statement on Saturday (May 6).
Lee said every effort must be made to refund the monies to the rightful owners especially at a time when the shrinking value of the ringgit is being pitted against the rising cost of living.
"The public can inquire if they have monies lodged with the Accountant-General’s office by checking with the eGumis portal and submitting their claims.
"It is obvious that a large number of people have not yet made claims not because of lethargy, lack of interest or procrastination. It is because of ignorance. Ignorance because of the lack of publicity," he said.
It was up to the custodians of the monies to be proactive, and even organise road shows to publicise the fact that the fruits of the public’s toils are waiting to be harvested, Lee lamented.
"They could set up offices in various parts of the country where officers will be stationed to help applicants complete the process step by step.
"Simplifying and expediting the eGumis procedures for the benefit of those in the B40 group will also help," he added.
Lee said returning unclaimed money can be a complicated process, and the specific steps will depend on the type of unclaimed money.
"Those who have the right to make their claims must be assisted.
"It's important to be knowledgeable and persistent in one’s efforts to seek a return of one’s money," he said.
