Op Metal: MACC records statements from 32 people

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has recorded statements from 32 people in connection with its investigation under Op Metal, which involves a syndicate linked to the smuggling of scrap metal and e-waste across five states.

According to a source, investigations are ongoing to identify elements of corruption under Sections 16 and 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

“The MACC has recorded a statement from a man with the title Datuk Seri, who is believed to be linked to the smuggling syndicate.

“So far, statements from 32 people have been recorded to assist in the investigation.

“However, no arrests have been made at this time,” the source said today, adding that the total value of seized and frozen assets currently exceeds RM332 million.

It was previously reported that scrap metal was being smuggled out of the country for export by falsely declaring it as machinery or other types of metal not subject to the 15 per cent export tax imposed by the government.

The ‘Datuk Seri’ is believed to be among those involved in the illegal export of scrap metal to evade the tax.

The syndicate was uncovered after the MACC launched a series of raids across five states, exposing an estimated RM950 million in lost tax revenue over the past six years.

The commission’s Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin previously confirmed that the total value of seized assets and frozen accounts related to the case had reached RM332 million.

This includes the freezing of 324 bank accounts, comprising 142 company accounts and 182 individual accounts, with a combined value of nearly RM150 million.

In addition, assets worth RM183 million were also seized.

The MACC, through Op Metal, which began on July 14, uncovered that the smuggling of metal scrap had caused more than RM950 million in revenue losses to the country over the past six years, an average of RM160 million annually.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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