KUALA LUMPUR – Several personal bank accounts holding tens of millions of ringgit belonging to a businessman with a “Tan Sri” title have been frozen by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
This is part of the investigation initiated in July last year into the contract awarded to supply and manage the government’s fleet of vehicles.
“More than 100 personal and company accounts valued at millions of ringgit, under the control of the Tan Sri, have been analysed for money transfer trends to certain individuals.
“Of the total, MACC froze several accounts estimated to have tens of millions of ringgit,” the source said.
When contacted, MACC senior investigations director Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim confirmed the freezing of bank accounts.
On January 19, Scoop reported that MACC raided the residence of the businessman, who is in his 70s, as well as obtained a slew of documents as part of its investigation into the RM4.5 billion contract.
According to sources, the graftbusters have taken statements from officials in related government agencies and individuals linked to the company.
The case is being investigated under Section 17 of the MACC Act 2009, where it stipulates a corporate liability principle where a commercial organisation can be considered guilty if any of its employees and/or associates commit corruption for the benefit of the organisation.
On January 26, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told Scoop that the investigation had been expanded to include the “right-hand people” of the businessman, including shareholders and board members of the company.
“Investigations are still ongoing. MACC officers are investigating how the company procured the contract (to supply and manage the government’s fleet of vehicles) since 2000.”
Sources also said the businessman is a proxy for a tycoon who is now also being investigated by the MACC regarding allegations of corruption and money laundering based on information from the Pandora Papers. – January 31, 2024
