Sabah scandal: MACC opens investigation paper on S'pore tycoon
The New Straits Times reported MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki saying he ordered Sabah MACC to carry out a thorough investigation into the case.
'We opened the investigation paper yesterday involving...
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Anti-Corruption Advisory Board needs more bite, say activists
C4's CEO, Pushpan Murugiah, said the MACC Act should be reviewed to give the ACAB greater authority. PETALING JAYA : Activists have called for the government to beef up the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board's oversight powers on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission by giving it greater powers. Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism CEO Pushpan Murugiah said the MACC Act 2009 only provides the ACAB with advisory roles rather than functional oversight powers. Pushpan said the board's lack of bite in this regard was particularly apparent during the scandal concerning MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki's apparent shareholdings. 'Even in instances where the board demands changes within the MACC, the decision to implement its recommendations is purely at the discretion of the MACC and its chief commissioner, leaving little room for the board to direct any real change. 'Despite six board members openly calling for independent and transparent investigations over the shareholding scandal, the advisory board itself was unable to conduct any investigations of its own,' he told FMT. Pushpan also expressed concern that an MACC chief commissioner could attempt to influence the ACAB's decisions as an ex-officio member of the board under the MACC Act. He said this could hinder the board's independence. He called for the MACC Act to be reviewed so that greater powers could be granted to the board, turning it into a transparent oversight mechanism to the graft-busters. C4 chairman Edmund Terence Gomez said the shareholding episode raised many questions as to the ACAB's authority to hold the MACC to account. Gomez said the board had limited powers to question the MACC chief, while the scandal also exposed issues with the structure of the board. He called for greater transparency for appointments to the board, with a set criteria outlined under the law. 'In the end, the MACC chief did not have to account for the allegations made against him,' he said. Gomez had resigned as a member of MACC's consultation and corruption prevention panel in December 2021 in protest against the board's refusal to discuss the case involving Azam. He was appointed to the post in 2020. In January 2022, the ACAB cleared Azam of any wrongdoing over his purchase of corporate shares after the MACC chief explained that his share account was used by his brother to purchase shares in which he had no pecuniary interest. Six panel members later distanced themselves from a statement made by the then ACAB chief, Abu Zahar Ujang, saying it was his personal view and that they were not satisfied with Azam's explanation. Last week, MACC announced the appointment of six individuals to the ACAB for a three-year term, including former Transparency International Malaysia president Akhbar Satar.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
MACC busts smuggling ring involving senior army officers
MACC officers raided a residence early this morning, seizing cash, valuables and other items believed to be linked to a smuggling syndicate. (MACC pic) PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has busted a smuggling syndicate allegedly operated by senior Malaysian armed forces officers in the country's south. A source said five senior officers and five civilians, including an Indonesian national, were arrested around the Klang Valley from 6.30am today in an operation conducted by MACC's intelligence division and the Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS). 'The senior officers were from the armed force's intelligence division, including two former personnel from the same unit. 'They were assigned to monitor and curb smuggling activities but are believed to have colluded with the syndicate for the past five years, amassing more than RM3 million in bribes,' the source said. Initial investigations found that the five senior officers were suspected to have leaked military operational information to smugglers and facilitated the entry of contraband such as drugs, cigarettes, and other banned goods from neighbouring countries, worth about RM5 million a month. 'The suspects are believed to have received between RM30,000 and RM50,000 for each smuggling trip,' the source said. More than RM63,000 in cash, drugs, weighing equipment, liquor and imitation firearms were seized from the raided premises. According to the source, the smuggling network involving these senior military officers was extensive and difficult to expose. An Indonesian woman without valid travel documents, believed to be the mistress of one of the officers, was also detained. MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests and said the case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009. He warned that the case must be taken seriously as it concerns activities that could jeopardise national security. 'Although we have various agencies to monitor and take action, smuggling activities persist,' he said. He added that the suspects would be brought to the Putrajaya magistrates' court tomorrow for a remand application.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
MACC detains 3 over false claims in Sabah and Selangor
MACC said the suspects will be charged tomorrow and on Thursday. PETALING JAYA : The Sabah Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained a man and a woman on suspicion of submitting claims worth more than RM3.6 million containing false details for the supply of machinery and equipment under a small and medium industry (SMI) assistance programme. According to an MACC source, the two suspects, in their 50s, were detained at about 11am today when they turned up at the Sabah MACC office to have their statements recorded, Bernama reported. 'Initial investigations found that the suspects had submitted two claims containing false particulars under the SMI assistance programme to the industrial development and research department in 2022 and 2023. 'One of the claims was for the supply of machines and entrepreneurs' equipment worth over RM400,000. The other involved MeSTI, My Food and halal certification services worth over RM3.2 million,' the source said. Sabah MACC director S Karunanithy, when contacted, confirmed the arrests. He said both suspects had been released after posting bail and would be charged at the Kota Kinabalu special corruption court on Thursday. Meanwhile, Selangor MACC detained a company director for allegedly submitting documents containing false details involving travel claims and the purchase of air conditioners amounting to about RM33,000. The female suspect, in her 50s, was detained at about 1pm today when she turned up at the MACC office to give her statement. The suspect is believed to have committed the offence between 2022 and 2023. Selangor MACC deputy director Khairul Izwan Karim confirmed the arrest and said the woman would be charged at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court tomorrow.
