KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has seized several luxury vehicles and RM50,000 at a hotel here as part of its investigation into the US$6 million (RM25 million) cash swap allegedly involving three of its senior officers.
The money and vehicles are believed to belong to one of the three, who are currently detained, a source told Utusan Malaysia.
The other two officers hold the ranks of enforcer and senior assistant enforcer. All three are between Grades 34 and 44.
The source said MACC is in the midst of a documentation process to trace the vehicles’ origins and determine whether the RM50,000 in cash is part of the misappropriated sum.
It was also reported that the officer in question allegedly owns several luxury motorcycles, as well as a pricey home.
The source said cases of possession of “extraordinary property” by MACC officers and low-ranking members are common, but the loss of evidence is not.
The anti-graft agency is investigating the case under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001. It is believed that the trio will be brought to court soon.
The Malay daily reported a source as saying police found drugs in a senior MACC officer’s bag during a search of his office, and a pistol and bullets were recovered from his residence.
Two days ago, Bukit Aman said one of the three officers had been arrested, and is being investigated on firearms and drug possession charges.
Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan in a statement confirmed that two investigation papers have been opened on the officer, under Sections 8(a) and 36 of the Firearms Act 1960, and Section 12(3) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
On Monday, it was reported that MACC detained the three officers last week in connection with the alleged counterfeiting of cash seized from former Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation director-general Datuk Hasanah Abd Hamid three years ago.
Confirming a report by Edisi Siasat, the source indicated that the millions in United States banknotes were seized by graft-busters as evidence in a US$12.1 million criminal breach of trust case involving Hasanah.
It is also alleged that at least one of the men arrested is closely linked to MACC chief Datuk Seri Azam Baki, and that the suspect has a history of drug abuse. – The Vibes, September 25, 2021
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