MACC seizes assets, freezes Tan Sri's bank accounts worth RM85.6 million

New Straits Times

4 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized assets and frozen bank accounts totaling RM85.6 million in its investigation involving a Tan Sri, concerning the misappropriation of sukuk funds meant for highway construction in the Klang Valley.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said among the seized items were 14 personal accounts containing RM4.5 million, eight company accounts containing RM33 million, and RM7.65 million of luxury vehicles.
He added that other seized items included RM3 million worth of handbags, luxury watches worth RM7 million, and properties valued at RM24.5 million.
"We suspect that sukuk funds amounting to hundreds of millions of ringgit channelled to a company owned by the Tan Sri were misused for personal gain and were not used for the intended financing of the related highway projects.
"The money was then distributed to certain companies and individuals, including into the Tan Sri's account, who acted as the 'main mover'," he said.
Azam said the funds were then believed to have been transferred to several other entities, including proxy companies and accounts owned by the Tan Sri's wife.
"The money is believed to have been used to purchase various assets such as properties, luxury vehicles, jewellery, and handbags, as well as for gambling activities.
"It is also believed to have been channelled for personal expenses such as the purchase of properties both domestically and abroad, as well as investments, through multiple layered financial transactions intended to obscure the original source of the funds," he said.
Azam said the MACC has yet to record a statement from the Tan Sri involved, as he is still receiving treatment at the hospital.
"The investigation is ongoing, and with the asset seizures, we will examine the acquisition of properties, including obtaining financial documents from banks and from the individual himself for analysis to assist the investigation.
"All those involved in assisting the investigation will be called to give statements. I do not rule out that some of his family members will be summoned to assist the investigation," he said.
So far, Azam said 45 people have been called and their statements recorded to facilitate the MACC's investigation into the case.
He added that between 30 and 50 witnesses are expected to be called to complete the investigation.
It was reported on Thursday that the MACC seized various assets, including handbags, jewellery, luxury vehicles, watches, cash, and luxury residences, with a total estimated value of about RM32 million belonging to the individual involved in yhe case.
During the operation, the MACC also discovered a storage room containing various types of luxury alcoholic beverages at a residence valued at approximately RM3 million, believed to be linked to money laundering activities.
The MACC's Strategic Communications Division reportedly said the seized items and assets are held for further investigation under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA) 2001.
Last month, it was reported that four people, including a Datuk Seri, were detained on suspicion of submitting false claims amounting to about RM360 million.
All suspects, comprising three men and one woman aged between their 50s and 70s, were detained while giving statements at the MACC office.
The four suspects are believed to have submitted false claims amounting to about RM360 million using sukuk funds in a highway construction project in the Klang Valley valued at about RM1.3 billion between 2016 and 2017.