MACC probes potential misappropriation of govt funds at oil and gas firm
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating the possibility that parts of the sum injected by the government into Sapura Energy were misappropriated by a high-ranking official, according to Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The MACC chief commissioner stated that statements have been recorded from 15 witnesses, with no arrests made so far.
He noted that they are also examining assets owned by the official involved, including two homes valued at RM5.5mil.
"Investigations are ongoing into whether some RM12mil was misappropriated under Section 23 of the MACC Act," Azam said at a press conference at the MACC headquarters on Wednesday (June 25).
"Investigations will focus on 2018, as during that time, Permodalan Nasional Berhad made an injection into Sapura Energy.
"This means that if there is misuse of funds, it will fall under either the MACC Act or other offences under the Penal Code," he explained.
On a related case involving the same company, Azam mentioned that investigations into alleged bribes worth US$3.3mil received from a foreign-based company will take time due to foreign legal jurisdictions.
"We need to make various applications, including mutual legal assistance from the relevant countries.
"It will take some time as it involves foreign legal jurisdictions and we need more information from them.
"Once we get this, we will continue investigations locally," he added.
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