MACC seizes Menara Ilham

An MACC source when contacted by Bernama said the building, which also housed the offices of the corporate figures, was seized under the MACC Act 2009.

The immovable property seizure notice dated Dec 18, 2023, was published in the notice column of an online news portal today.

According to the notice signed by MACC Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib, the Registrar of Titles at the Federal Territories Lands and Mines Director's Office was directed to seize Menara Ilham at No. 8, Jalan Binjai, here.

The directive was issued under Section 38(1) of the MACC Act 2009 [Act 694] and Section 376(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code after getting feedback from MACC officers.

The notice also prohibits all transactions related to the building under scrutiny and specifies the terms of the notice on the property's title document at the office of the Registrar of Titles.

According to the notice, individuals who do not comply with the notice will be investigated under Section 38(5) of the MACC Act 2009 which can lead to a fine not exceeding twice the value of the asset in question, or RM50,000, whichever is higher, and can be imprisoned for a period of more than two years.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the matter when contacted by Bernama, but refused to comment further.

In May, the MACC was reported to be investigating a corporate figure in connection with the embezzlement of state funds worth over RM 2.3 billion.

The probe is a continuation of the disclosure of confidential documents by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICJ) - also known as the Pandora Papers - over transactions carried out at offshore financial centres.

The investigation is being carried out in accordance with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activitiesv(AMLATFPUAA) Act 2001.