Latest news with #CriminalInvestigationBranch
News.com.au
21-07-2025
- News.com.au
Police find pic of kids ‘bound with duct tape'
A 44-year-old man has been charged with multiple offences in Queensland after police found a mobile phone containing an alleged image of two young children bound with duct tape. The man was arrested by detectives from Queensland's Emerald Criminal Investigation Branch following investigations into illegal weapons and illicit drugs on a property in Emerald, 70 kilometres west of Rockhampton, in May. Police found a mobile phone at a property containing an alleged image of two children aged just three years old bound with duct tape. Police allege the man can be seen pointing what appears to be a firearm at the children in the photo. It will also allege the image had been forwarded on to several other people after being taken. The children were known, but not related to the man, police said. Officers identified the children and ensured they were both safe. The 44-year-old has been charged with unlawful possession of category H firearms, dangerous conduct with weapon and two counts of deprivation of liberty. He was given strict bail conditions and is expected to appear in the Emerald Magistrates Court on August 26. It comes as detectives last week arrested and charged a 59-year-old man with supply of dangerous drugs and sexual offences against a child after concerns were raised by concerned community members in a separate unrelated incident in Queensland. Police allege the man provided dangerous drugs and committed sexual offences against a child between June and July 2025. The man has been charged with the grooming of a child under 16 years, rape, supplying dangerous drugs to a minor and breach of bail. He has been remanded in custody to appear in Emerald Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Officer in Charge of Emerald CIB Detective Sergeant Dylan Brook thanked the community members for coming forward to help the victim survivors. 'I would like to thank the community members for having the courage to report the matters to the police and supporting the victim survivors,' Detective Sergeant Brook said. 'The Emerald police are committed to supporting victims of sexual abuse with compassion and work diligently and tirelessly to hold offenders accountable through the court system.'
Sky News AU
20-07-2025
- Sky News AU
Locals left horrified after discovering body at iconic Gold Coast beach, day after a separate body was found at nearby swimming spot
Locals were left traumatised after discovering a dead body on an iconic Gold Coast beach. Police attended the scene after locals found a deceased person on Sunday morning at Gold Coast's Palm Beach. Queensland Police told the Gold Coast Bulletin they had been alerted by members of the public that a body had been located at the beach. Authorities have not yet revealed the age and gender of the deceased person, but said the discovery was made at about 5.40am. Police believe the death of the person did not involve suspicious circumstances. The Gold Coast Bulletin stated that numerous witnesses reported the grim find to social media, and that the body was located near the Palm Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. 'Don't let your kids down to Palm Beach this morning – another body,' one woman wrote on Facebook. Local man, Wayne, was one of the first witnesses to spot the body and told the Gold Coast Bulletin that he arrived at the beach at around 5.20am for a routine surfing event. He said the body was completely clothed and partially submerged in the ocean. 'Two ladies were standing by the body which was lapping in the water,' he told the Gold Coast Bulletin. He added that police arrived at the scene shortly after at about 5.40am. Wayne said that 'paramedics arrived and tried to resuscitate the body' and that a total of eight police officers were in attendance. The person could not be saved. Detectives attached to the Criminal Investigation Branch arrived at the beach at about 8.30am. The investigators were seen inspecting the body, which had since been moved from the shore to the back of the beach. The body was draped in a black tarp and placed onto a trolley. A van from a local funeral home was also seen parked a short distance away. The body has since been transported from the scene. Another body was discovered on Saturday at Echo Beach at Burleigh Heads, with police having since established a crime scene at the widely used swimming spot. A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the death at Echo Beach on Saturday was being treated as non-suspicious and that investigations were ongoing.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Navigating Malaysia's evolving tax landscape
Malaysia's tax environment is undergoing a significant transformation. With the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) reaffirming its commitment to national tax governance, tax compliance is being reinforced through strategic partnerships, targeted programmes, and the deployment of advanced data analytics, which demands far more than routine filings. The shift to the self-assessment system (SAS) across more tax types, combined with the recent tightening of the Tax Investigation Framework, signals that businesses must now adopt a more proactive and strategic approach to managing their tax affairs or risk penalisation under an increasingly vigilant tax authority. Paradigm shift in responsibility Malaysia's transition to the SAS, which began with income taxes in the early 2000s, marks a significant reform in tax administration. The SAS has now been extended to cover Real Property Gains Tax from Jan 1, this year, with phased implementation for Stamp Duty beginning from Jan 1, next year. This transition aims to promote voluntary compliance while reducing administrative burdens. Under SAS, the responsibility for correctly interpreting and applying tax laws rests squarely on taxpayers. They must accurately compute and declare their own tax liabilities. Errors or omissions may lead to tax adjustments and penalties. Businesses are expected to proactively estimate their tax positions, monitor them routinely to avoid underestimation penalties, and ensure their accounting systems are equipped to meet SAS demands. To support this shift, IRBM has issued public rulings, guidelines, and practice notes, simultaneously intensifying audit efforts to ensure compliance. Evolving tax enforcement Under the current structure, the Strategic Compliance Branch and Criminal Investigation Branch are led by one of the IRBM's deputy chief executive officer. In each state, the respective state IRBM director oversees the strategic compliance and tax audit functions. While there is only one Criminal Investigation Branch serving the country, as our nation strengthens its focus on tax compliance, IRBM is ensuring comprehensive coverage in its enforcement. The Strategic Compliance Branch focuses on high-risk taxpayers, employing in-depth investigation procedures (following a tax investigation framework) including surprise visits and on-the-spot document and data requests. Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Branch handles serious tax crimes, such as fraud and wilful concealment, often collaborating with other enforcement agencies. A key enforcement priority is real transaction verification. Auditors now examine cash flows, supplier accounts, and capital statements to confirm the legitimacy of transactions. These audits carry significant authority, with findings potentially leading to immediate penalties or legal action. The compliance pyramid IRBM's enforcement strategy is increasingly guided by a compliance-pyramid model, similar to that adopted by the Australian Taxation Office. This model segments taxpayers based on behavioural profiles – from compliant to non-compliant – and tailors enforcement strategies accordingly. At the base of the pyramid are educational initiatives, reminders, and simplification measures for those willing to comply but lacking resources. The next tier involves facilitation through programmes such as Tax Corporate Governance and audits. At the apex are the shadow economy and deliberate tax evaders – groups with persistently low compliance levels – which are the primary focus of strategic compliance efforts and investigations. Where are we now? Tax investigations in Malaysia are becoming increasingly rigorous and data-driven. Unlike routine audits, investigations involve unannounced visits, document seizures, and interviews. The updated Tax Investigation Framework, effective May 31, last year, provides greater transparency and clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved. Recent media coverage has widely reported IRBM's enforcement activities, including high-profile cases involving celebrities and corporations. These headlines raise questions about whether all featured taxpayers are truly evaders or if public perception is shaped by sensationalised headlines. With over eight million taxpayers and a compliance rate exceeding 80%, IRBM is now intensifying their focus on fraud and evasion. The phased implementation of e-Invoicing is expected to further enhance transparency, enabling real-time transaction monitoring and reducing black-market activity. Be prepared, stay compliant It is prudent for businesses to proactively plan their tax structures, upgrade accounting systems, and consider integration or artificial intelligence. When receiving correspondence from IRBM, it is crucial to identify the issuing branch as this will indicate whether it pertains to an educational audit, civil investigation, or criminal investigation. Understanding the nature of the audit is the first step toward crafting a measured response. Above all, businesses should remain calm, be aware of their rights, and engage professional advisors where necessary. Rather than seeking shortcuts, invest in staff training, conduct regular risk assessments, and maintain robust records to ensure compliance in this evolving landscape. Soh Lian Seng is head of tax for KPMG in Malaysia. The views expressed here are the writer's own.
