Latest news with #OpSohor
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Johor Regent aids MACC in Op Sohor smuggling probe
CYBERJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed receiving crucial information from Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail in its ongoing Op Sohor investigations. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stated the Regent actively supports efforts to combat smuggling at national borders. 'His Royal Highness Tunku Mahkota Johor has been highly cooperative and wants such illegal activities stopped,' Azam told reporters after the Anti-Corruption Graduates Convention (KOMAWAR). He clarified the syndicate operates solely in the southern region, with no recent arrests made. 'If money laundering links emerge involving other beneficiaries, we will expand our probe,' Azam added. The commission is also investigating an online media firm linked to two suspects detained under Op Sohor. 'They worked for an undisclosed company, and we're examining its establishment purpose,' Azam revealed. The suspects allegedly leaked confidential data to the smuggling network. Five senior military officers were arrested earlier for colluding with syndicates to smuggle drugs and cigarettes worth RM5 million monthly. Azam emphasised KOMAWAR's role in educating graduates against corruption and fostering integrity. The biennial programme aims to cultivate youth support for transparent governance. - Bernama
Barnama
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Op Sohor: MACC Received Information From Johor Regent
CYBERJAYA, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) revealed today Johor Regent, Tunku Mahkota Ismail had provided information that assisted the investigations under Op Sohor, which are currently still ongoing. Its chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki said the Regent also wanted to curb smuggling at the country's borders. "I would like to inform that His Royal Highness Tunku Mahkota Johor as Regent of Johor, has been very cooperative in this matter and wants such activities to be curbed," he told the media after the close of the Anti-Corruption Graduates Convention (KOMAWAR) here today, adding that the syndicate is believed to be focused only in the southern region of the country with no new arrests being made. "I expect so far there has been no (new arrests), if there are any links, (for instance) when we look into money laundering it might be possible there are other parties benefitting from this activity, and if so, we will investigate further,' he said. He also said that the commission was looking into the reasons behind the existence of the online media company that two of the suspects arrested under Op Sohor were working for and confirmed that both suspects were not from any mainstream media. 'They work for a company, which name I can't reveal, and we're looking into why it was set up,' Azam said, adding that they believed that both the suspects acted as enablers by leaking information to the syndicate. The MACC had arrested five senior armed forces officers on Wednesday for allegedly leaking military operation information to smugglers and colluding with a syndicate to smuggle in contraband, including drugs and cigarettes, estimated to be worth RM5 million a month. Meanwhile, Azam said during his speech at the close of KOMAWAR that it was organised not only to provide exposure and education on corruption and integrity but to instill values and build character among university students. The biennial KOMAWAR's objective is to shape a generation of graduates to reject corruption and allow youth to support integrity and transparency in the country's administration, he added.
![[UPDATED] Johor Regent's network helps expose military smuggling syndicate, says MACC chief](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fmaell_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1755340107.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Johor Regent's network helps expose military smuggling syndicate, says MACC chief](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Johor Regent's network helps expose military smuggling syndicate, says MACC chief
CYBERJAYA: The Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, has played a pivotal role in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) probe into a drug and contraband smuggling syndicate involving senior armed forces officers in the southern region. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency had received a wealth of intelligence through the Johor Crown Prince's extensive network. "As the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail has been cooperative and determined to see this issue eradicated. We have received a significant amount of information through his connections," he told reporters after the Anti-Corruption Student Convention here today. On Wednesday, the MACC launched Op Sohor, an operation that led to the arrest of several senior military officers and five civilians, including two former soldiers who had become journalists. All five officers served in the Intelligence Division. Initial investigations revealed that the senior officers, the main suspects in the case, allegedly leaked sensitive operational information to smugglers and colluded with the syndicate to bring prohibited items including drugs, cigarettes, and other contraband into Malaysia from neighbouring countries. Azam clarified that the two journalists arrested were not working with mainstream media but had instead become enablers by leaking information to the syndicate. The MACC is also probing the media company they established to determine whether it was used for money laundering. He said the suspects had been passing on confidential information for the past four to five years, with illicit proceeds partly kept in cash savings while other funds might have been hidden elsewhere. "We do not expect further arrests, but as investigations into money laundering continue, it is possible that others who benefited may also be investigated," Azam said, adding that foreign involvement had not yet been established. He said that the leak of national security secrets was a grave matter requiring thorough investigation, adding that the armed forces chief and the military leadership had extended their full cooperation. "We will examine all relevant laws, including those on corruption and money laundering. The suspects will also face military law, as they are subject to a martial court.
Malaysian Reserve
a day ago
- Malaysian Reserve
MACC to investigate online media company over smuggling link
KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) will investigate an online media company following the arrest of two of its staff members during Op Sohor, who are believed to be involved in a smuggling syndicate. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the owner of the company would be summoned soon to provide a statement. 'We have reason to believe the media company is being used as a front to enable and facilitate money laundering activities,' he told Bernama today. Azam added that investigations are ongoing to determine the company's involvement in the smuggling operation. He also revealed that the two journalists arrested, along with eight other individuals—including senior military officers, are believed to have previously served in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF). 'They are former MAF personnel, and initial investigations suggest they may have provided information to the smugglers,' Azam said. On Wednesday (Aug 13), the media reported that MACC had remanded 10 individuals, including five senior MAF officers and two journalists from a news portal, suspected of involvement in a smuggling syndicate in the southern part of the country. Also remanded were a company manager, an administrative assistant from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), and a foreign woman. The suspects, aged between 30 and 55, were arrested in the Klang Valley during Op Sohor, conducted by MACC's Intelligence Division in collaboration with the police (PDRM). — BERNAMA
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
MACC probes online media firm over smuggling syndicate links
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) will investigate an online media company following the arrest of two of its staff members during Op Sohor, who are believed to be involved in a smuggling syndicate. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the owner of the company would be summoned soon to provide a statement. 'We have reason to believe the media company is being used as a front to enable and facilitate money laundering activities,' he told Bernama today. Azam added that investigations are ongoing to determine the company's involvement in the smuggling operation. He also revealed that the two journalists arrested, along with eight other individuals—including senior military officers, are believed to have previously served in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF). 'They are former MAF personnel, and initial investigations suggest they may have provided information to the smugglers,' Azam said. On Wednesday (Aug 13), the media reported that MACC had remanded 10 individuals, including five senior MAF officers and two journalists from a news portal, suspected of involvement in a smuggling syndicate in the southern part of the country. Also remanded were a company manager, an administrative assistant from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), and a foreign woman. The suspects, aged between 30 and 55, were arrested in the Klang Valley during Op Sohor, conducted by MACC's Intelligence Division in collaboration with the police (PDRM). - Bernama
