Latest news with #TanSriAzamBaki
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
MACC says assets seized from ‘Tan Sri' in highway sukuk scandal now reach RM143m
KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized assets linked to the misuse of sukuk funds of the construction of a highway in Klang Valley believed to be owned by a highway concessionaire with a Tan Sri title totalling RM143 million during an operation conducted last week. Its chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki said the seizures include 14 individual accounts totalling RM4.5 million, eight company accounts totalling RM33 million, luxury condominium and land worth RM24.5 million, nine cars worth RM7.65 million, and 13 cars that have yet to be handed over to the investigation team. Other items seized include luxury watches worth RM25 million, handbags worth RM3 million, jewellery and diamonds (RM6 million), four horses (RM400,000), alcoholic beverages (RM3 million), foreign assets worth more than RM15 million and around RM20 million in gambling activities. 'Preliminary investigations revealed there was misconduct between 2016 and 2020 involving approved sukuk funds of about RM1.35 billion, involving false claims of about RM360 million and RM416 million and RM50 million in other bank facility loans. 'The RM1.67 billion highway project also failed to be completed according to schedule and investigations are focused on bribes worth RM12 million paid to certain parties as inducement in helping the cash flow out and back to the suspect,' he said in a statement last night, adding that the proceeds were also believed to have been used in money laundering activities. He explained that to embezzle the funds, the parties involved were believed to have used professionals such as auditors, financial experts, engineers and shell companies. 'Until now, the MACC has yet to take the Tan Sri's statement as he is in a private hospital ward and today the investigating officer will get confirmation from the doctor on the status of the Tan Sri's health before recording his statement. 'Meanwhile, the number of witness statements stands at 45, and those witnesses who have given their statements have been asked to provide further statements,' he said, adding that the investigating team is also tracking down luxury vehicles and properties belonging to the Tan Sri abroad, including in London and Switzerland. The investigation is focused on the true amount of luxury liquor kept by the Tan Sri and the possibility that funds have been transferred to other accounts, he said. He added that an asset declaration notice has been handed to the Tan Sri and other related parties. — Bernama
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Shariah-compliant bonds for highway project abused in luxury lifestyle scandal, says MACC
KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has uncovered that over RM20 million from misappropriated sukuk funds meant for a Klang Valley highway project were allegedly used for gambling activities. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the discovery came during further investigations into the high-profile corruption case, the New Straits Times reported. 'I have been briefed by my investigation officers that more than RM20 million may have been spent on gambling activities. 'We also found 300 bottles of luxury alcoholic beverages were found in a storage facility,' he was quoted as saying. Azam said the authorities are still tracing assets both locally and abroad that will be frozen or seized to assist the probe. So far, 45 witnesses have provided statements, while the Tan Sri under investigation remains hospitalised at a private medical centre. On Sunday, the MACC froze and seized RM85.6 million in assets and accounts related to the case involving the alleged misuse of sukuk funds. Among the seized assets were 14 personal bank accounts with RM4.5 million, eight company accounts with RM33 million, and luxury vehicles worth RM7.65 million. Authorities also confiscated handbags valued at RM3 million, luxury watches worth RM7 million, and properties estimated at RM24.5 million. The MACC believes that sukuk funds — raised through shariah-compliant bonds — were channelled to a company owned by the Tan Sri and diverted for personal use rather than the intended highway construction. Last month, four individuals including a Datuk Seri were arrested over false claims involving RM360 million linked to the same RM1.3 billion Klang Valley highway project dating back to 2016–2017.
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Fresh intel triggers eight new MACC cases on Daim's overseas holdings, says Azam
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has received fresh intelligence from foreign agencies concerning high-value assets allegedly owned by the late former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin and his family. According to Harian Metro, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency has opened eight new investigation papers based on the information received. 'We are now looking into assets that were not previously declared to us,' he told a press conference at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today. 'The latest details point to the ownership of substantial assets by the late Daim, his family and associates that were not declared.' Azam said the assets have been traced to Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Singapore and several other countries. 'We are currently in communication with foreign authorities to obtain further information. The process is complex and must follow legal protocols such as Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA),' he was quoted as saying. To date, about RM2 billion in assets linked to Daim have been frozen since investigations began in February 2023. Azam said the latest findings will be subject to investigation, and if it is confirmed that the assets were undeclared, it could constitute an offence. 'Despite Tun Daim's death, we will recommend that the assets in question be forfeited to the government, subject to the Deputy Public Prosecutor's discretion,' he reportedly said. He added that witnesses, including proxies and family members, are being called in to verify whether the assets were lawfully acquired. 'I've instructed investigating officers to complete work on the eight new papers within approximately two months,' he was quoted as saying by the national daily.
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
MACC confirms receiving Housing Ministry's MyKiosk documents, says will act if necessary
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has assured that it will initiate an investigation if elements of corruption or misconduct are found in the MyKiosk project under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT). According to Berita Harian, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency has received a report on the matter, along with documents submitted by the ministry relating to the project. 'A report was received — I can confirm it came from MCA yesterday. Today, KPKT also submitted several documents concerning the MyKiosk project. 'I assure you that if there are elements of corruption, we will investigate. Give us time to examine the evidence,' he reportedly said during a press conference at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today. The Housing Ministry had earlier submitted documents related to the MyKiosk project, which has come under scrutiny over alleged high costs, to the MACC. In a statement, the ministry said the voluntary submission was a sign of its commitment to transparency and integrity in the project's implementation. This followed a report lodged by MCA Youth Selangor urging the MACC to investigate the project, which is managed by KPKT. Azam added that, for now, no investigation papers have been opened. 'So far, the information reported to us has been based on social media. Prior to this, MACC had not received any formal report containing documents, statements or other evidence. 'As such, for issues raised via social media, I must stress that we need to verify the facts first. We cannot draw conclusions prematurely,' he was quoted as saying.
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
MACC to question Ismail Sabri's ex-son-in-law Jovian Mandagie in corruption probe
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will summon Datuk Jovian Mandagie, the former son-in-law of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, to assist in its investigation into a corruption case involving the former prime minister. Buletin TV3 said MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the entrepreneur, who has since returned to Indonesia, will be questioned by investigators. 'We have been informed that we will need to meet him there. We cannot compel him to return at this stage as he is now an Indonesian citizen and is residing there. 'So we'll need his cooperation. I expect this will take place within the next week or two. 'I've already instructed the investigating officer and the director to expedite the process,' he reportedly said during a press conference at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today. Azam added that Jovian was among the names listed in the asset declaration submitted by the Bera MP on February 10. He also said Ismail Sabri will not be called in again for questioning, and the investigation is expected to be completed by the end of next month. The investigation papers will be finalised before being submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers if elements warranting prosecution are found. 'If there is sufficient evidence for prosecution, we will recommend that charges be brought against him. 'As of now, if the case file is complete and prosecutable elements are present, I will provide further updates,' he was quoted as saying. The former prime minister is being investigated for alleged corruption and money laundering involving the expenditure and use of funds for the promotion of the 'Keluarga Malaysia' campaign during his tenure from August 2021 to November 2022. The case is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. On March 3, Azam revealed that Ismail Sabri was a suspect in the case, following the discovery of about RM170 million in various currencies and 16kg of gold bars at a property used as a 'safe house' during an MACC raid.
