RM114.5 mil seizure in Sabah corruption case biggest in MACC history

The seizure of RM114.5 million in a case of abuse of power involving infrastructure projects valued at RM3.3 billion associated with two civil servants in Sabah is the biggest in the history of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, it was stated here today.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki said the seizure was made following the arrests of the civil servants - a director and a deputy director of a government agency - yesterday.

"An MACC investigation led to the seizure of RM75 million from the offices, houses and bank accounts of the suspects (director and deputy director) and their families," he told a press conference here.

Azam said the arrests of the two senior government officers led to the arrests of two more people - a businessman with the title 'Datuk' and his accountant, suspected to be linked to the two civil servants.

"Following their (Datuk and accountant) arrests, the MACC froze about RM37 million in the accounts of a company suspected to be linked to one of the civil servants," he said.

Azam said the MACC seized RM2.5 million from a bank safe deposit box belonging to the deputy director.

He also said that the MACC was seeking the bank's assistance to open five more safe deposit boxes soon.

"Since the anti-corruption agency was set up 49 years ago, we have never seized so much money from individuals, particularly civil servants.

"We believe the suspects also have cash deposited in several banks abroad," he said.

Azam said the director and deputy director were suspected to have handled infrastructure construction projects valued at over RM3.3 billion since 2010, and had given all of them to their siblings.

They were being investigated under Section 17 of the MACC Act, he said.

Azam said the MACC had also seized 127 land titles, nine luxury cars, 94 branded handbags, watches of various brands and jewellery, the value of which had yet to be ascertained.

He said the MACC had identified several other people believed to have conspired with all the suspects and they would be called up soon to have their statements recorded.

"I wish to stress here that stern action will be taken against anyone who refuses to cooperate," he said. -Bernama