FIC: Probes into London hotel purchase needs statements of overseas witnesses

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is obtaining statements from overseas witnesses in the case of the purchase of a hotel in Kensington, London, by the Felda Investment Corporation (FIC), said its Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Azam Baki.

He said the need to get statements from these witnesses who are overseas, comprising Malaysians and foreigners, meant that the investigations cannot be completed in the near future.

"The MACC will have to go there (London). This will involve mutual assistance. The MACC cannot jump into the other country to investigate. So we have to apply through our AG (Attorney-General) and our AG will communicate through their (United Kingdom) AG," he told reporters after attending a flag-raising ceremony held in conjunction with the MACC's move to a new building at Presint 7 here today.

On the case of FIC's hotel purchase in Kuching, Sarawak, Azam said the investigations are expected to be completed soon before the results are submitted to the deputy public prosecutor who had the right to determine whether there is a case for prosecution.

The FIC is a Felda subsidiary company involved in non-farming business ventures.

The MACC was reported to have opened an investigation paper into the purchase of a hotel in Kensington, London by the FIC on Dec 16, 2014, at STG60 million (RM330 million) , a price which was believed to be far higher than the original, leading to the Felda subsidiary company suffering millions of ringgit in losses.

The MACC was also reported to have started investigations into the purchase of a hotel in Kuching, Sarawak after it uncovered information about it while investigating the purchase of the London hotel.

-- BERNAMA