KUALA LUMPUR – Another business tycoon will be summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Monday to facilitate the probe into the alleged misappropriation of over RM2.3 billion of national funds.
This comes after MACC revealed yesterday that a former senior minister and a prominent businessman with the title of Tan Sri are being investigated in the same case – a continuation and extension of the disclosure of confidential documents in the Pandora Papers regarding suspected transactions in several offshore financial centres.
Utusan Malaysia reported that the focus of the investigation is in relation to the purchase and ownership of shares in a giant listed company, which is said to have been orchestrated by the former senior minister.
It is understood that this transaction of purchase and ownership of shares is believed to be the cause of the decline of the national economy and the fall of the ringgit currency in the late 1990s, and has been distorted for the benefit of the individuals involved to be bailed out from suffering further losses.
Bernama also reported yesterday that the investigation focused on transactions involving the sale of shares of the listed company, the ownership of valuable assets owned by the businessman and former senior minister and their family members, estimated to be worth billions of ringgit, both in the country and abroad.
The anti-graft body was said to have recorded the statements of about 14 witnesses in the past few weeks in relation to this investigation
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the matter and said the investigation is focused on Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 regarding the offence of misuse of power to obtain bribes and the offence of money laundering under Section 4 (1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001.
The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal, Getaran also reported that a source said the former minister implicated is in his 80s and once held a senior position in a ministry.
According to the source, the former minister once served with the nation’s fourth prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“The former finance minister was called to testify last February, and we (MACC) are indeed investigating the figure and have called various parties as witnesses.
“It is to ensure that if there is any wrongdoing, a full investigation can be done before the case is brought to court.
“We are indeed examining in detail the allegations arising from ICIJ and we hope that the public will be patient and wait for the next steps from MACC because we take this matter seriously,” said the source. – The Vibes, May 20, 2023
