[UPDATED] MACC widens Raub land encroachment probe, more to be summoned

New Straits Times

29-04-2025

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will summon individuals involved in the Raub, Pahang land encroachment case from about 10 years ago and earlier, including those who have since retired.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said this as the graft busters are conducting a thorough investigation, not only focusing on governance issues but also examining how certain parties had allowed the land to be encroached on over the years.
He however said that tracing those responsible would take time, as investigating officers needed to review the background of officials who were on duty at the time.
"Naturally, matters such as retirement pose challenges for my officers in conducting background checks and tracing the individuals involved," he told reporters when met at the sidelines of the Southeast Asia Anti-Corruption Conference: Recalling Jakarta Statement.
Last week, the MACC chief commissioner said the commission is already investigating the issue of illegal durian farms in Raub, and that the commission had first opened an investigation into the matter four years ago.
He added that following the recent developments, he had instructed the Pahang MACC to proceed with the investigation.
Previously, two-term Tras assemblyman Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji had called for the MACC to investigate the issue of illegal durian farms in the area.
Tengku Zulpuri, a former Raub member of parliament, said the illegal farms in the district had been an "open secret" for over 30 years.
This comes after authorities launched Op Sekat 3.0, on April 8, felling durian trees on illegal farms spanning 202.34 hectares — an area roughly equivalent to 283 football fields in Raub.