MACC nets RM31.4b in seizures, RM28b in forfeitures in 5 years
Its chief commissioner Azam Baki said the commission had also successfully forfeited assets valued at nearly RM28 billion during the same period.
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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Johor Regent aids MACC probe on smuggling
All against corruption: Azam (centre) and dignitaries with students at University Multimedia in Cyberjaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star CYBERJAYA: Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has been assisting the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) with information in its probe into a smuggling syndicate involving senior Armed Forces officers, says MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. He revealed that the Regent has been very cooperative and wants the issue eradicated. 'We have also received much information through his networking,' Azam said. He confirmed that the case remains centred in the southern region, with 10 individuals remanded so far under Ops Sohor. They include five senior Armed Forces officers, two ex-military personnel claiming to be 'journalists', a company manager, an administrative assistant with the Malaysian Medical Association and a foreign woman. Azam clarified that the so-called journalists were actually social media operators employed by a company under investigation. 'From what we see, they acted more as enablers, leaking information to criminals involved in smuggling,' he said. Azam indicated that the suspects are thought to have worked with both current and former Armed Forces officers who were apprehended during the operation. 'This should never have happened. Those entrusted with safeguarding the nation's security must not leak classified information. If proven, it cannot be taken lightly,' he stressed. Azam said the suspects are believed to have leaked intelligence on enforcement operations to smugglers in exchange for bribes, with the illicit gains often stashed in cash. Investigations also point to possible links with narcotics activities, which have been referred to the police's Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department. 'From what we know, this scheme has been going on for four to five years. If further evidence emerges, more individuals may be called in,' Azam said. He added that MACC is collaborating closely with the Armed Forces, including the Chief of Defence Forces, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into corruption, money laundering, and military laws, which also encompasses provisions for court-martial. Separately, Azam urged young Malaysians to be discerning in distinguishing between perception and reality when it comes to corruption, warning that social media often blurs the line between truth and misinformation. 'Perception is easy to accept, but reality is more difficult to digest. The challenge for today's generation is to evaluate and balance between what is mere perception and what is actual reality,' he said at the Anti-Corruption Student Convention here yesterday. He noted that corruption has long been a threat to Malaysia's development, with today's cases becoming more complex and widespread. Azam also cited a 2003 survey by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia that found 30% of university students were willing to accept bribes. 'Imagine where they are now, perhaps as civil servants, businesspeople, politicians or even criminals. If the mentality of society is to condone what is wrong, the country will head towards destruction,' he said. Azam stressed that political will was key in fighting graft, warning that countries plagued by systemic corruption have eventually collapsed. He praised Malaysia's current leadership for restoring the nation's standing internationally. Azam expressed his gratitude to Multimedia University for collaborating on the anti-corruption convention.
Malaysiakini
2 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
MACC received information from Johor regent on syndicate: Azam
The MACC revealed today that Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail had provided information that assisted the investigations under Op Sohor, which are currently still ongoing. MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the regent also wanted to curb smuggling at the country's borders.
Malaysian Reserve
3 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Op Sohor: MACC received information from Johor Regent
CYBERJAYA — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) revealed today Johor Regent, Tunku Mahkota Ismail had provided information that assisted the investigations under Op Sohor, which are currently still ongoing. Its chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki said the Regent also wanted to curb smuggling at the country's borders. 'I would like to inform that His Royal Highness Tunku Mahkota Johor as Regent of Johor, has been very cooperative in this matter and wants such activities to be curbed,' he told the media after the close of the Anti-Corruption Graduates Convention (KOMAWAR) here today, adding that the syndicate is believed to be focused only in the southern region of the country with no new arrests being made. 'I expect so far there has been no (new arrests), if there are any links, (for instance) when we look into money laundering it might be possible there are other parties benefitting from this activity, and if so, we will investigate further,' he said. He also said that the commission was looking into the reasons behind the existence of the online media company that two of the suspects arrested under Op Sohor were working for and confirmed that both suspects were not from any mainstream media. 'They work for a company, which name I can't reveal, and we're looking into why it was set up,' Azam said, adding that they believed that both the suspects acted as enablers by leaking information to the syndicate. The MACC had arrested five senior armed forces officers on Wednesday for allegedly leaking military operation information to smugglers and colluding with a syndicate to smuggle in contraband, including drugs and cigarettes, estimated to be worth RM5 million a month. Meanwhile, Azam said during his speech at the close of KOMAWAR that it was organised not only to provide exposure and education on corruption and integrity but to instill values and build character among university students. The biennial KOMAWAR's objective is to shape a generation of graduates to reject corruption and allow youth to support integrity and transparency in the country's administration, he added. — BERNAMA
