Humanitarian NGO demands answers over Gigamax arrests
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) has pressed police for an official update on the arrests of three suspects believed to be the main figures behind the Gigamax investment scam.
The trio were reportedly detained at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on May 6.
Despite the high-profile nature of the case, MHO said authorities have yet to issue a formal statement.
"We have been given to understand that the suspects masterminded the Gigamax investment scheme, which saw local investors lose millions of ringgit," MHO secretary Hishamuddin Hashim was reported by Utusan Malaysia as saying during a press conference.
Hishamuddin was referring to a Chinese daily report on May 9 which claimed the suspects had been taken to the Cheras police headquarters following their arrest.
Hishamuddin said MHO submitted an official letter to federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department this morning to seek confirmation on the suspects' current status.
"We would like to know whether the suspects are still being detained, have been freed on bail, or (the case has been) handed over to the Attorney-General's Chambers for prosecution," he said.
He added that the letter represented 99 investors who collectively lost more than RM4.8 million in the scheme.
Police investigations into Gigamax were triggered following confirmation from Bank Negara Malaysia that the scheme involved fraudulent activity.
The case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
In an operation on Nov 13 last year, police arrested 11 people aged between 34 and 59, including two women, in multiple raids across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Melaka.
One of the affected investors, 60-year-old Noraishah Muhammad, voiced her frustration over the lack of progress.
"We want transparency. As victims, we have a right to the latest updates on the masterminds of the scheme," she said.
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