Get a Lawyer Before Your JSJK Statement

Why get advice before the statement?

If JSJK or CCID has called you in to give a statement, this is one of the best times to get legal advice: before anything is on record. What you say in that room can shape the rest of the investigation.

This page is for you if you believe you did nothing wrong, or you are a student unsure how serious this is. It is also for you if you were told you may be arrested afterwards. Preparation differs a little for each, but talking to a lawyer first helps in all three.

What does giving a statement to JSJK/CCID involve?

CCID, often called JSJK (Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersil), is the police Commercial Crime Investigation Department. It is usually the unit that takes statements in mule account and scam cases. ^[f1] A statement is your account of events, recorded by the investigating officer for the case file.

You may be called in without being arrested. But the questions can cover your bank account, how it was used, who you gave access to, and money that moved through it. That is exactly what a lawyer helps you think through beforehand.

Can a lawyer sit in the room with you?

It is better to be honest about this. If you are arrested, Article 5(3) of the Federal Constitution gives you the right to consult a lawyer of your choice. ^[f2] If you are called in as a witness, whether a lawyer may be in the room is up to the officer, so ask in advance.

A lawyer is still useful. The value is in the talk beforehand: your rights, what you must and need not answer, and how to give an accurate account once you are in the room.

How does a lawyer prepare you?

A lawyer starts with what you have: the call-in letter, any bank messages, and what you remember about how the account was used. Then they explain which offence the questions are likely aimed at, out of Sections 424A, 424B or 424C. All three are bailable, so bail is a right, though the court or police set the amount and conditions. Each carries a fine or jail, or both. ^[f3]

You also learn your rights if you are arrested. ^[f2] This is not about scripted answers. It is about walking in clear-headed instead of guessing.

What happens to your account meanwhile?

Action on your bank account can happen around the same time as the statement, or just before it. Under the 2024 amendments, a police officer of Sergeant rank or above can freeze an account and block transactions at once under CPC Section 116D, with no court order. ^[f4]

A freeze does not run forever. An AMLA section 44 freeze lasts up to 90 days unless you are charged, and a later seizure order lapses after 18 months if no charge is brought. ^[f5] Our first hour actions guide covers what to do straight away if a freeze happens near your statement.

If you cannot afford a private lawyer

Cost should not make you walk into a statement unprepared. The Legal Aid Department, Jabatan Bantuan Guaman, may give legal help at low or no cost to Malaysians who meet its income criteria, and this can include advice before a statement. ^[f6]

If you are not sure you qualify, a private lawyer can tell you the likely cost before you agree to anything.

What if you have been told you may be arrested afterwards?

If you were told you may be arrested afterwards, read our guide to what happens after arrest too, so you understand both stages.

The full path from statement to any charge is set out in our investigation and court process guide.

How the WhatsApp enquiry works

Send a short message with what the call-in letter or officer told you and roughly when you must attend. You do not need every detail sorted first.

We use your message to refer you to a lawyer. The lawyer can then explain what to expect and how to prepare before your date.

Sources

1. Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), CCID/JSJK Organisational Information (rmp.gov.my)
2. Federal Constitution of Malaysia, Article 5(3)
3. Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2024, Sections 424A, 424B, 424C
4. Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 2024, Section 116D
5. Raj, Ong & Yudistra, “Unveiling the Mystery: When Your Bank Account Gets Frozen by the Law” (2024)
6. Jabatan Bantuan Guaman (Legal Aid Department), jbg.gov.my