SEPANG: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is scrutinising the financial records of family members and close associates of individuals detained in connection with the “counter-setting” investigation in a bid to trace the flow of money linked to the syndicate.
Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the investigation would cover anyone with ties to those detained.
He explained that apart from corruption and abuse of power probes, the agency has also initiated investigations under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
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“We are also looking at the seized assets. Those involved are being investigated over their properties and cash holdings, and certain notices have been issued requiring them to declare their assets.
“For example, if someone opened a gold shop, they would have to explain the source of funds and how the money was obtained.
“The investigation will take some time as it only began about two weeks ago,” he told reporters after the 4th National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Research Conference here on Thursday (Sept 18).
Also present was Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Azam said no new arrests have been made so far, but did not rule out the possibility of more detentions.
“In this case, we are probing further. It’s not a long money trail as this does not involve corporations, but those under investigation must explain where the money came from.
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“If there are accomplices, they will also be called in,” he said.
He added that investigators would need witnesses to explain how the suspects were able to acquire luxury cars, run businesses, and amass large sums of cash.
Previously, Azam revealed that enforcement officers implicated in the scandal were receiving between RM1,800 and RM2,500 in bribes for each foreign national allowed entry into Malaysia.
These bribes were paid either in cash or through mule accounts, with officers allegedly pocketing between RM10,000 and RM50,000 a month, depending on the number of foreigners released.
MACC previously detained 30 individuals, including 18 enforcement officers, in a nationwide operation codenamed Ops Rentas.
The officers are suspected of facilitating the entry of foreign workers into the country without going through procedures.
The arrests were carried out in Selangor, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan.
