[UPDATED] Top MACC official charged with misappropriating RM25 mil

KUALA LUMPUR – A senior enforcement officer with Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has claimed trial, today after being charged with misappropriating RM25 million in cash, which was part of a separate corruption case.

According to Malaysiakini, Shahrum Nizam Baharuddin pleaded not guilty at the sessions court here after he was charged with committing a criminal breach of trust involving US$6.94 million (RM25 million).

The 40-year-old was alleged to have committed the offence at Level 14, Block C, of the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya, between December 17, 2018, and April 9, 2019.

If convicted, the accused faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail, whipping, and a fine under Section 409 of the Penal Code.

Sessions judge Suzana Hussin subsequently denied bail to the accused and set the case for mention on February 18.

Additionally, deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin informed the court that Shahrum will be charged further with 110 counts involving money laundering.

However, Wan Shaharuddin stopped short of revealing when the new charges will be brought to court.

The developments come after the suspect, in addition to being allegedly involved in the loss of evidence involving US$6 million, was also probed for drug-pushing activities, last October.

Then Bukit Aman Narcotics Investigation Department director Datuk Razarudin Husain reportedly said the suspect was being held under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.

The suspect is one of three senior officers detained by the MACC in September as part of its investigation into allegations of abuse of power and malfeasance.

It is learnt that the officers were suspected of being involved in the missing cash, which was among evidence seized in the corruption case involving former director-general of the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid.

It is understood that the missing cash in United States dollars amounting to about RM25 million was seized by the MACC from an apartment in Cyberjaya in 2018 and kept as evidence by the commission.

Hasanah was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for the charges in April.

According to The Sun Daily, the seized cash was returned to her, but Hasanah found a large amount of it had been stolen and replaced with counterfeit bank notes.

Citing the same report, it is understood that the anti-graft officer tested positive for methamphetamine as well as amphetamine and benzodiazepine, substances typically found in Erimin 5. – The Vibes, January 4, 2022