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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
RM169m forfeiture case tied to Ismail Sabri set for hearing in October
KUALA LUMPUR: The RM169 million forfeiture proceedings linked to former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob are scheduled to be heard at the Sessions Court this October. Judge Suzana Hussin fixed the date after lawyers representing Ismail and his former political secretary, Anuar Yunus, told the court that they would challenge the application filed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) earlier this month. Lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad said the respondents have requested three weeks to file their affidavits. The deputy public prosecutor (DPP) is expected to respond by Sept 3, he added. "The court has fixed Oct 1 for hearing, during which further instructions will be given regarding the filing of written submissions," he said via WhatsApp. Ismail was also represented by lawyers Ragunath Kesavan and Jason Anthony, while DPPs Ifa Sirrhu Samsudin and Alis Izzati Aumin Mohd Rusdi represented the government. The application was made under Section 41(1) of the MACC Act after the commission was satisfied that the funds were owned by Ismail Sabri but kept by Anuar. The funds, the commission said, was linked to an offence under Section 36(2) of the act. The funds that MACC is seeking to forfeit, which were earlier seized from Anuar, comprise RM14,772,150; S$6,132,350; US$1,461,400; three million Swiss Francs; €12,164,150; ¥363 million; £50,250; NZ$44,600; 34.75 million dirham and A$352,850. MACC is also asking for the declaration of other orders deemed fit by the court. On July 3, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the assets, which have already been seized, would be forfeited to the government if the court rules in its favour. Azam had said if Ismail Sabri, the Bera member of parliament, chooses to contest the forfeiture, the case would proceed to trial. On June 25, it was reported that MACC was planning to forfeit RM177 million in cash and assets linked to a probe into alleged corruption and money laundering involving Ismail Sabri. In March, MACC seized about RM170 million in cash, held in various foreign currencies, along with 16kg of gold bullion worth around RM7 million, following investigations into the case. MACC confirmed that the operation involved raids at multiple locations, including residences and three other premises believed to be used as "safehouses" following the arrests of four senior officers who served under Ismail during his tenure as the ninth prime minister.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
MACC freezes RM150m accounts in scrap metal smuggling crackdown
GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen 324 bank accounts worth nearly RM150 million and seized assets valued at RM183 million in a major crackdown on scrap metal and e-waste smuggling syndicates. The operation, spanning five states, uncovered an estimated RM950 million in tax revenue losses due to bribery of enforcement officers. A source confirmed that 27 witnesses, including a businessman with a 'Datuk' title, have given statements. No arrests have been made yet. 'The total value of seized assets and frozen accounts now exceeds RM332 million,' the source said. MACC Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin stated that financial investigations are ongoing with agencies like the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Customs Department, and Bank Negara Malaysia. 'Probes cover offences under the MACC Act, money laundering, and tax evasion laws,' he added. The operation, dubbed Op Metal, involved raids in Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, and Johor. Authorities confiscated luxury vehicles, branded watches, and properties, including oil palm plantations in Kelantan. A foreign businessman linked to the syndicate, who holds a 'Datuk' title, was abroad during the raids but later returned to assist investigations. – Bernama
Focus Malaysia
5 days ago
- Focus Malaysia
Project manager tried to burn RM1mil cash during MACC raid
A PROJECT manager arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged corruption involving a data centre project tender tried to burn nearly RM1mil in RM100 banknotes to destroy evidence out of panic during the raid. The raid was conducted at his Petaling Jaya home last Thursday (July 17). MACC officers discovered thick smoke from the bathroom where the cash was being burnt. The raid also uncovered RM7.5mil in cash hidden in pillow boxes, along with luxury watches — Rolex, Omega, and Cartier — plus jewellery and gold coins. Bernama reported that MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrest, stating the suspect could face charges under the Penal Code and the MACC Act. Ahmad Khusairi said the suspect's attempt to destroy evidence is a serious offence under Section 201 of the Penal Code, punishable by up to seven years ' jail and a fine. However, the main investigation focuses on bribery and corporate liability under Sections 16 and 17A of the MACC Act 2009. — July 19, 2025
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Push for Ombudsman Act gains momentum after MACC apology [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Calls to accelerate the tabling of the long-discussed Ombudsman Act have gained new momentum, as transparency advocates stress the need for stronger external oversight to help rebuild trust in the country's public institutions. This comes after Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki's formal apology to the family of Teoh Beng Hock, a political aide who died in 2009 while in MACC custody. The MACC's public apology, which the Teoh family has acknowledged but not fully accepted, has reopened calls for deeper reform and accountability. Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) chief executive officer Pushpan Murugiah said the five existing oversight mechanisms under the MACC Act — namely the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board, Special Committee on Corruption, Complaints Committee, Operations Review Panel, and Consultative and Corruption Prevention Panel — function purely in advisory roles, without any enforcement or investigative authority. He said implementing an independent oversight mechanism such as the Ombudsman to enhance public confidence and institutional integrity is key. This, he added, would help address questions on appointments involve both the MACC Chief Commissioner and the Prime Minister. "These advisory panels cannot investigate, compel information, or take action. That is why the Ombudsman framework is crucial," he said. The government has previously signalled its intention to table the Ombudsman Bill. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said in 2023 that the Ombudsman Malaysia initiative, formerly known as the Public Complaints Bureau, would be strengthened to manage public complaints with improved independence and transparency. Pushpan highlighted that the government should ensure that when the bill is tabled, the Ombudsman's jurisdiction includes oversight over institutions such as the MACC. "We're not saying the Ombudsman should investigate corruption cases — that remains MACC's job. "But they should be empowered to review procedures, handle complaints, and promote transparency in how investigations are carried out," he said. "An apology is a start, but building trust takes more than words. It takes systems that work," Pushpan added.
The Star
16-07-2025
- The Star
MACC arrests clerk for allegedly submitting false hotel claims totalling RM55,000
SEREMBAN: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has obtained a court order to remand a woman for seven days until July 22 to investigate her for allegedly providing false information to claim a total of RM55,000. The suspect, in her 20s, was detained when she arrived for questioning at the state MACC office around 9.30pm on July 15. The woman, who is a clerk at a tour company in Kuala Lumpur, had allegedly submitted documents containing false details involving a company credit card payment claim for hotel bookings. A source said the suspect was believed to have committed the offences between March 2023 and February last year. "The suspect is believed to have submitted company credit card payment claim documents containing false details for hotel bookings on official company business for personal gain," he said. When contacted, state MACC chief Awgkok Ahmad Taufik Putra Awg Ismail confirmed the case, adding that it was being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act.
