KUALA LUMPUR – A former senior minister and a businessman with the title of Tan Sri who were questioned in relation to the alleged misappropriation of more than RM2.3 billion in public funds are expected to be summoned again for the same purpose.
According to a report, this course of action by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) comes in the wake of the seizure of several documents related to the acquisition of shares involving publicly listed companies.
“The two community figures, including a businessman with the title of Tan Sri, may be recalled soon,” said an unnamed source quoted by Utusan Malaysia.
“In addition to the two, MACC has called several individuals, including a lawyer, an auditor, and a representative of a company to obtain more documents needed for the investigation.”
It is understood that the seized materials include banking papers as well as documents from the Securities Commission.
The same report mentions that another prominent businessman has also been asked to appear tomorrow for MACC questioning.
On Friday, Bernama reported that a former senior minister and businessman with the title of Tan Sri were investigated by MACC after being suspected of embezzling state funds worth more than RM2.3 billion.
The investigation, according to sources, also focuses on the purchase and ownership of shares in a listed company by a national giant that is said to have been orchestrated by the former minister involved.
According to the source, it is believed that the purchase and ownership of the shares contributed to the country’s economic decline and the fall of the ringgit in the late 1990s.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the probe into the former senior minister and businessman with the title of Tan Sri.
He said the investigation is focused on Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 regarding misuse of power to obtain bribes, and money laundering under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Utusan Malaysia earlier reported that another tycoon will be summoned by MACC today to facilitate the probe into the matter.
Getaran, The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal 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,” said the source. – The Vibes, May 21, 2023
