The seizure of RM114.5 million in a case of abuse of power involving infrastructure projects valued at RM3.3 billion, associated with two civil servants in Sabah, is the biggest in the history of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, it was stated here today.
MACC Azam Baki said the seizure was made following the arrests of the civil servants – a director and a deputy director of a government agency yesterday.
“An MACC investigation led to the seizure of RM75 million from the offices, houses and bank accounts of the suspects (director and deputy director) and their families,” he told a press conference here.
Azam said the arrests of the two senior government officers led to the arrests of two more people – a businessman with the title “Datuk” and his accountant, suspected to be linked to the two civil servants.
“Following their (Datuk and accountant) arrests, the MACC froze about RM37 million in the accounts of a company suspected to be linked to one of the civil servants,” he said.
Azam said the MACC seized RM2.5 million from a bank safe deposit box belonging to the deputy director.
He also said that the MACC was seeking the bank’s assistance to open five more safe deposit boxes soon.
“Since the anti-corruption agency was set up 49 years ago, we have never seized so much money from individuals, particularly civil servants.
“We believe the suspects also have cash deposited in several banks abroad,” he said.
Azam said the director and deputy director were suspected to have handled infrastructure construction projects valued at over RM3.3 billion since 2010, and had given all of them to their siblings.
They were being investigated under Section 17 of the MACC Act, he said.
Azam said the MACC had also seized 127 land titles, nine luxury cars, 94 branded handbags, watches of various brands and jewellery, the value of which had yet to be ascertained.
He said MACC had identified several other people believed to have conspired with all the suspects and they would be called up soon to have their statements recorded.
“I wish to stress here that stern action will be taken against anyone who refuses to cooperate,” he said.
Source : FMT
According to a report by Free Malaysia Today on 5 October, this is the breakdown of the cash that was seized from the senior officials:
1) RM75 million seized from the offices, houses and bank accounts of the two officials.
2) RM37 million frozen in the accounts of a company suspected to be linked to one of the two civil servants.
3) RM2.5 million was seized from a bank safe deposit box owned by the deputy director.
As for the unopened safety boxes, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki said that they can only be unlocked with assistance from the banks.
“Due to some regulations we have to comply with, we are not able to unlock the boxes immediately, but hopefully, we will be able to do so soon,” he added.
RM53.7 million out of the RM75 million that was recovered was found in cold hard cash. It apparently took more than 30 MACC officers 13 hours to count the sum of money found.
The breakdown of the cold hard cash seized is as follows:
1) RM45 million was seized from the director
2) RM7.5 was seized from the deputy director
3) RM1.18 million worth of foreign currencies were also recovered.
The large amount of money was found stashed everywhere including the safes, cupboards, drawers, and car boots.
The Malay Mail Online reported on 5 October that some of the jewellery, including rings encrusted with precious stones, were still encased in velvet boxes.
Some of the brands of handbags that were found are Gucci, Chanel, Burberry, Christian Dior, Bally, Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Hermes. It is believed that these were gifted to the wives of the senior officials.
As for the luxury watches, Patek Philippe, Tag Heuer, Rolex, Cartier and Guess were just some of the brands that were seized.
The authorities are currently checking the authenticity of the branded goods and jewellery to determine the value of the items.
127 land title grants worth millions of ringgit were also seized
- It was reported that the land grants were found encased in folders.
MACC has also seized nine vehicles from the senior officials which may amount up to RM3 million
- The Star reported that eight of the vehicles seized are;BMW 535i (RM500,000)
Mercedes-Benz C300 (RM308,000)
Range Rover SE V8 (RM1.1 million)
Mazda 6 (RM195,000)
Volvo XC60 (RM270,000)
Lexus ES (RM260,000)
Audi A1 (RM180,000), and
Ford Ranger (RM112,000).
The Coverage Malaysia
