Malaysian MPs question eJamin operator amid bail fund governance risks

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MPs question eJamin

Highlights

MPs question Dapat Vista Sdn Bhd, eJamin's main operator, which managed RM193.71 million in bail payment collections without a formal contract for five years.
Dapat Vista invested RM130.8 million in bail funds, including in sukuk, while its ownership structure comprises 80% held by Television Airtime Services Sdn Bhd and 20% by HeiTech Padu Bhd.
The PAC and Parliament highlight risks to the government from the lack of a formal agreement and Pertama Digital's weak financial position, with the company now under PN17 status after a RM797,000 loss.

This article was translated from the original. Read the original version by our correspondent here.

Dewan Rakyat concerns over eJamin's structure

As reported by The Edge Malaysia, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer called for the identities of the individuals behind the companies involved in the eJamin bail collection system to be disclosed in the Dewan Rakyat during a debate on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report. He said these individuals must wield considerable influence, having been entrusted with handling bail payment collections for five years without a formal contract.

Rayer also questioned who would be held accountable if the company operating eJamin failed to return bail money to guarantors after a case is concluded. According to him, if the company becomes insolvent or is unable to return the funds for any reason, the government would ultimately have to bear that risk.

The online bail payment system was operated by Pertama Digital Bhd for five years without a formal agreement. The PAC said bail funds were paid into commercial bank accounts owned by Dapat Vista Sdn Bhd rather than the federal government's consolidated trust account, a situation that contravenes the Federal Constitution and the Financial Procedure Act 1957.

The PAC also said that Dapat Vista invested the funds, including in sukuk, to generate returns. Bail deposits stood at RM193.71 million at the end of 2024, of which RM130.8 million had been invested by Dapat Vista.

Financial risks and pressure on the government

Dapat Vista is 80% owned by Television Airtime Services Sdn Bhd, a 51%-owned subsidiary of Pertama Digital, while the remaining 20% is held by HeiTech Padu Bhd. The ownership structure is now under greater scrutiny as eJamin's main operator faces corporate financial pressure.

Pertama Digital has recorded losses since the financial year ended 31 Dec 2021. For the six months ended 30 Jun 2026, the company reported a net loss of RM797,000 on revenue of RM3.84 million, and in July this year it triggered Practice Note 17 (PN17) status after its shareholders' equity fell below Bursa Malaysia's listing threshold.

The PAC stated that the absence of a formal agreement and trustee structure exposes the government to risk if the company faces a financial crisis or liquidation. Other MPs, including Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan of Kota Bharu and Datuk Awang Hashim of Pendang, raised similar concerns during the debate.

PAC member Syahredzan Johan said he could not answer what safeguards were in place to ensure guarantors could recover their deposits, stressing that the government must provide an explanation in the Dewan Rakyat. He also urged the government to update the status of negotiations with Dapat Vista and clearly define the meaning of public funds in the bail context, while emphasising the need for robust legal safeguards and compliance with the Federal Constitution.

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Dr Ramli Mohd Nor advised MPs to leave the task of identifying wrongdoing to the authorities. He said any misuse of, or profiteering from, public funds constitutes criminal breach of trust.

In our earlier article on the PAC's findings on eJamin's operations, we examined how the system allegedly operated for years without a formal contract and placed bail deposit funds in commercial bank accounts that did not comply with government financial procedures. We also outlined the PAC's concerns over the unauthorised investment of part of the funds, the lack of safeguards such as a trustee structure or insurance, and the risk implications for guarantors and the government while eJamin services continue pending the finalisation of a formal agreement.

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