Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim Says RM12.7 Billion in Unclaimed Money Available for Public Claims

Kuala Lumpur, The Gulf Observer: An estimated RM12.7 billion in unclaimed money (Wang Tak Dituntut, WTD) remains available for the public as of January 31, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who also serves as the Finance Minister, urged eligible individuals and their heirs to claim the funds by submitting applications online via the eGUMIS portal (https://egumis.anm.gov.my/) or visiting the counters at the Accountant General’s Department (JANM) in each state.

“The methods for verification and claiming can be referred to on the eGUMIS JANM portal or at the JANM counters,” he stated in a written reply to Parliament on Wednesday (March 5).

The Prime Minister was responding to a query from S. Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput) regarding the current amount of unclaimed money and the procedure for reclaiming it.

To facilitate public awareness and access, Anwar highlighted that the government has undertaken multiple initiatives to inform WTD owners and their heirs. Awareness campaigns have been conducted at government and private sector events, including the Madani Rakyat programme, open days, and customer service days hosted by government departments.

“As of 2024, a total of 158 booths and awareness programmes have been held throughout Malaysia to inform the public about the existence of WTD and how to claim it,” he added.

In addition, online briefings are regularly conducted for both government and private sector agencies to clarify the verification and application processes for WTD claims.

To enhance accessibility, JANM has established WTD application counters in 24 state and branch offices across Malaysia, including locations in Putrajaya and UTC Pudu, where the public can check their eligibility and submit claims.

“As part of the efforts to broaden the dissemination of information to the public, JANM has also shared various updates through television crawlers and national TV channels,” the Prime Minister stated.

The government encourages all eligible individuals to verify their status and claim their unclaimed money through official channels to ensure the rightful distribution of these funds.