MACC tracking more bank accounts in milk powder cartel probe

New Straits Times

14-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is working with financial institutions to identify other bank accounts that may have been used by a cartel which supplied substandard milk powder to a government department.
This was revealed by a source who also said that statements from two government department staff were taken by graftbusters last week.
"This brings the total to 12 individuals whose statements have been taken so far to assist the investigation," the source said.
When contacted, MACC Special Operations Division Senior Director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin said the investigation is still ongoing.
He said the investigation is being conducted under Section 16 of the MACC Act, as well as the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, and the Income Tax Act.
Last week, it was reported that the MACC was probing four family members suspected of owning and directing companies that supplied milk powder, valued at about RM120 million, to a government department for the past 20 years.
The milk powder allegedly did not meet SIRIM Bhd standards.
Preliminary investigations found that all the companies involved had no background in food and beverage production, processing, or distribution.
Instead, they comprised furniture, electrical, contractor, property, transport, and civil engineering companies.
The MACC also froze accounts totalling RM174.6 million, involving 24 individual accounts and 51 company accounts, following joint raids with the Inland Revenue Board and Bank Negara Malaysia in several series of operations around the Klang Valley starting July 8.