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New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Immigration officer charged over nearly RM1mil in bribes
SHAH ALAM: An Immigration Department senior deputy assistant director claimed trial at the Sessions Court today to five charges of receiving and transferring RM933,295 in proceeds from illegal activities between 2022 and last year. Nas Suffian Nasrun, 41, entered his plea after the charges were read out to him before judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin. Clad in a blue shirt, Nas Suffian listened to each charge attentively before pleading not guilty while his family members sat at the public gallery during the proceedings. He looked calm throughout the proceedings, telling the court he understood each charge, the penalties and consequences of his plea. His family members looked visibly sad and some had their heads bowed as the charges were being read out. On the first count, was accused of being directly involved in transactions worth RM224,840 of proceeds from illegal activities from a special pass agent's bank account to his mother's bank account through 29 online transactions. On the second count, he was alleged to have received RM297,600 of illegal proceeds in his bank account through 29 transactions from the same agent. On the third to fifth count, he was accused of having transferred RM113,375, RM209,080 and RM88,400 from his own bank account to his accomplice, who is also an immigration officer, his mother and a company through 104 transactions. He allegedly committed the offences at two banks in Kajang and Kota Damansara between July 29, 2022 and Sept 23, 2024. The charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) and Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act. Each charge carries a jail term not exceeding 15-years and a fine not less than five times the amount of bribe or RM5 million, whichever is higher, upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor Siti Amirah Muhammad Ali did not offer bail as the offences are non-bailable. Howevever, she said the court should set RM800,000 with one surety if it wanted to use its discretion to grant bail. She also urged the court to order the accused the surrender his passport to the court, report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Johor monthly and not harass prosecution witnesses if he was granted bail. "Although he is a civil servant, he is a flight risk. He is an immigration officer and we believe he is well versed with the country's borders," she said. Lawyer Muhammad Zaim Rosli pleaded for a bail of between RM10,000 and RM15,000 for each charge and said his client had been with the Immigration Department for 19 years. "My client's wife is also a senior immigration officer and they have five children aged between 7 and 15. "He has a clean work record and never had disciplinary action taken against him. But, he faces the risk of being suspended after being charged today. "He cooperated during investigations. The issue of him absconding does not arise and he has pledged to attend all court proceedings," he said. Zaim said his client will also be hauled to the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex to face similar charges on Thursday (July 24). After hearing the submissions, Nasir set bail at RM100,000 with one surety. He ordered Nas Suffian to surrender his passport to the court, report to the MACC office monthly and not harass prosecution witnesses. The court set Sept 12 for mention.
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Pavilion Payments and CasinoSoft Partner to Revolutionize Gaming Payments and Compliance
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pavilion Payments, the leading omnichannel payment solutions provider in the gaming industry, has acquired CasinoSoft, a trusted leader in Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Title 31 compliance, automated tax form processing, jackpot handling, and regulatory reporting software. Together, they are building a unified solution that simplifies and modernizes gaming operations. Together, Pavilion Payments and CasinoSoft are redefining what seamless, compliant, and guest-focused casino operations look like for the future of gaming. Share 'We have put 20 years of our heart and soul into building the CasinoSoft brand and are thrilled with the many ways this acquisition moves us to the next level,' said Matt Montano, Principal and Owner of CasinoSoft. 'The success of our robust suite of AML/Title 31 and tax form products is evidenced by the longstanding partnerships we enjoy with our many satisfied customers throughout the industry.' The new offering combines Pavilion Payments' seamless player funding and payment ecosystem with CasinoSoft's industry-leading compliance and automation software. The result is a powerful, vertically integrated platform that streamlines floor, cage, and slot operations, making them faster, easier, and more secure for casinos, route gaming as well as iGaming and sportsbook operators. 'CasinoSoft is the industry standard for AML/Title 31 compliance, automated tax forms, jackpot processing, and associated reporting services,' said Diallo Gordon, President of Pavilion Payments. 'With this acquisition, we plan to grow the broader Pavilion business with several new patents, innovative products, and transformative solutions that position us as the clear leader in fintech payments, cashless gaming, cage, and floor automation.' For more than two decades, CasinoSoft has helped casinos streamline Title 31, AML, tax forms, and jackpot workflows, keeping operations audit-ready and freeing up staff to focus on the guest experience. By joining Pavilion Payments, CasinoSoft expands its ability to deliver end-to-end compliance and payment solutions within a single, connected system, reducing manual steps and increasing automation. 'At Pavilion Payments, we pride ourselves on offering our partners and customers a vibrant and diverse portfolio of products and services,' said Dan Connors, CEO of Pavilion Payments. 'The addition of CasinoSoft's products to our lineup furthers our delivery on that goal. We're delighted to add CasinoSoft to our team and look forward to delighting our customers with them.' Together, Pavilion Payments and CasinoSoft are redefining what seamless, compliant, and guest-focused casino operations look like for the future of gaming. About Pavilion Payments Pavilion Payments enables the world's gaming entertainment leaders to create amazing consumer experiences and maximize spend across all their physical and digital properties. Pavilion Payments is the gaming industry's leading omnichannel payment solutions provider, offering integrated omnichannel and software solutions that enable flexible funding, play, and cash out. For more information, visit About CasinoSoft CasinoSoft is the leading provider of tech-forward compliance solutions for the casino and sports betting industry. Trusted nationwide, our powerful suite—including Title 31, TaxForms, and Automated Document Management modules—streamlines regulatory workflows, minimizes risk, and boosts operational efficiency. Designed with the end-user in mind, our solutions are intuitive, reliable, and built to keep properties ahead of evolving compliance demands. For more information, visit
The Star
14-07-2025
- The Star
Steely stand against smuggling
Swift and efficient: A MACC elite Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad member rounding up a worker during a raid at a scrap metal processing and storage facility on Jalan Bukit Minyak, Seberang Perai, Penang. – ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star GEORGE TOWN: For over six years, a well-organised smuggling syndicate has exported scrap metal to several countries, evading nearly RM1bil in export duty. The group falsely declared the cargo as machinery and other non-taxable metal goods to bypass the government's 15% export duty, with destinations including China, India and others. To execute the scheme, the syndicate is alleged to have bribed Customs Department officers, establishing a corrupt network that operated undetected for years. This illicit collaboration is estimated to have caused RM160mil in direct tax losses annually, with total projected losses exceeding RM950mil over six years. Sources said the syndicate operated its own scrapyard with storage and processing facilities, enabling it to collect, sort and prepare large volumes of scrap metal for export in-house. This full operational control allowed the group to manipulate documentation, conceal the true nature of the cargo, and coordinate shipments with minimal external scrutiny. Luck ran out for the syndicate yesterday when the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) launched a large-scale crackdown codenamed "Ops Metal", targeting 19 locations across Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor and Kedah. In Penang, media outlets, including The Star, were on the ground from as early as 5am to witness a high-profile raid at a luxury residence in Batu Maung. Clad in tactical gear, officers from the MACC's elite Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS) searched the multi-storey property for evidence linked to the smuggling and corruption ring. The operation centred on a prominent scrap metal company owner with a "Datuk" title. However, the suspect – believed to be a foreign national – was not at home, having reportedly left the country two days earlier. Only several women, believed to be his wife, mother and domestic helper, were present. The team then moved to a scrap metal storage and processing facility on Jalan Bukit Minyak, Penang mainland, believed to belong to the suspect. Around 30 workers were detained for questioning and later released after a man, thought to be the facility's supervisor, assured full cooperation with the investigation. No arrests were made across all 19 locations, though investigations remain active and the total value of seized assets has yet to be disclosed. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the coordinated raids targeted manufacturers and companies suspected of large-scale tax evasion and bribery in scrap metal exports. The case is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. Efforts are also ongoing to identify those involved, including public servants suspected of facilitating the illicit operations.
New Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MACC tracking more bank accounts in milk powder cartel probe
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is working with financial institutions to identify other bank accounts that may have been used by a cartel which supplied substandard milk powder to a government department. This was revealed by a source who also said that statements from two government department staff were taken by graftbusters last week. "This brings the total to 12 individuals whose statements have been taken so far to assist the investigation," the source said. When contacted, MACC Special Operations Division Senior Director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin said the investigation is still ongoing. He said the investigation is being conducted under Section 16 of the MACC Act, as well as the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, and the Income Tax Act. Last week, it was reported that the MACC was probing four family members suspected of owning and directing companies that supplied milk powder, valued at about RM120 million, to a government department for the past 20 years. The milk powder allegedly did not meet SIRIM Bhd standards. Preliminary investigations found that all the companies involved had no background in food and beverage production, processing, or distribution. Instead, they comprised furniture, electrical, contractor, property, transport, and civil engineering companies. The MACC also froze accounts totalling RM174.6 million, involving 24 individual accounts and 51 company accounts, following joint raids with the Inland Revenue Board and Bank Negara Malaysia in several series of operations around the Klang Valley starting July 8.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
MACC pursues foreign assets linked to Daim
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is seeking to seize and forfeit overseas assets worth RM3bil belonging to the late Tun Daim Zainuddin and his family. The MACC said its Special Operations Division had uncovered offshore assets allegedly linked to the former finance minister, his wife Toh Puan Na'imah Khalid, their family members, and close associates. These high-value assets are located in the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland, Singapore, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Jersey, Italy, Japan, Indonesia, and several countries in Africa. The findings stem from the MACC's investigation in collaboration with the United Kingdom's National Crime Agency and the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC). On June 3, the MACC obtained a restraining order from the Kuala Lumpur High Court under Section 53 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 for seven assets in the United Kingdom worth RM758mil. It said a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) application is being processed with UK authorities via the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC). Further discussions are also ongoing with the IACCC to ensure effective and proper enforcement action. Applications for restraining orders have also been filed against assets in Singapore and Jersey. The hearings for these applications, covering four bank accounts and investments worth RM1.15bil in Jersey, and 12 bank accounts and investments worth RM540mil in Singapore, were held at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on June 23 and 25. 'In addition, requests for further information regarding assets in the United States, Switzerland, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Italy, and Japan are being made through cooperation with Bank Negara, the IACCC, and MLA applications via the AGC. This is to facilitate legal and comprehensive action for asset seizure and forfeiture,' the commission said yesterday. Domestically, the MACC seized Ilham Tower on June 5 and filed a forfeiture application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on June 25 for the property located at Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur. The MACC also recorded statements from Na'imah and her son, Muhammed Amir Zainuddin Daim, on June 14 in relation to undeclared extraordinary assets. A statement from the couple's second son, Muhammed Amin Zainuddin Daim, currently in the United Kingdom, was also taken. All three are main shareholders of Ilham Baru Sdn Bhd, which is the majority shareholder of Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd and the beneficial owner of Ilham Tower. 'In line with Section 36(1) of the MACC Act 2009, Asset Declaration Notices were served on July 10 to 22 individuals identified as relatives and close associates of the late Tun Daim and Na'imah. This is for the purpose of identifying and confirming ownership of the assets,' the MACC said. It emphasised that the action taken is part of its duty to ensure there is no element of corruption, embezzlement, or abuse of power in the management of the nation's wealth. 'The MACC remains committed to conducting its investigation independently, transparently, and in accordance with the law, without interference or political influence,' it added.
