JOHOR BARU – Police yesterday took statements from a woman who claimed to be a “Datuk Seri” and a lawyer believed to be involved in forging a letter of undertaking to conduct foreign currency exchange transactions using the name of Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim yesterday.
Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said police were now seeking three other individuals believed to also be involved in the case to have their statements taken.
“So far, we have taken statements from two individuals and are now checking the documents and accounts of those involved in the case.
“The public is advised to not be influenced by comments on social media about the case. Let police complete investigating and taking down statements. If we have enough evidence, we will charge those involved,” he said at a press conference when asked for an update on the case here today.
When asked if the case had any political elements, Ayob Khan said police would investigate before saying anything.
Two days ago, Ayob Khan said the investigation was carried out following a police report made by the head of the media unit of the Johor royal family’s communications office on Thursday.
He said the local woman had claimed to have received a mandate from Tunku Ismail to carry out the exchange of US$200 billion to US$5 trillion into Malaysian ringgit, while the male lawyer was a proxy for the documents.
Speaking on another case, Ayob Khan said police had also taken a man’s statement for uploading comments insulting Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and the Johorean royal institution via a Twitter account on Friday.
He said the 42-year-old man, a part-time vehicle painter, was earlier detained by a team from the Johor Commercial Crime Investigation Department at 9.25pm at his house in Ulu Tiram, here.
He said the arrest was made following a police report lodged by the head of the Johor royal family’s communications office’s media unit at 2.03pm on the same day.
According to him, the man had uploaded the insulting comments from his Twitter account @zion74rey.
“We detained him to have his statement taken and will submit the investigation papers once completed to the deputy public prosecutor for further action,” he said.
Ayob Khan said checks revealed that the man had previous criminal records involving trespassing and mischief.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. If found guilty, he is liable to a fine of up to RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding a year or both. – Bernama, October 10, 2021
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