MACC recovers over RM8.4 billion in assets, investigates former PM, enforcement officers and banking institutions in major anti-graft operations.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has recovered assets worth over RM8.4 billion this year through a series of high-profile investigations.
The agency’s operations targeted a former prime minister, enforcement officers and banking institutions, with recoveries, seizures and forfeitures recorded up to November 30.
One major case involved former premier Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, leading to the seizure of various currencies worth over RM169 million, 16 kg of gold bars and cash from a safe house.
The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court approved the forfeiture of this money on October 1 after no party came forward to claim it.
In September, Op Rentas tackled corruption among enforcement officers allegedly involved in counter-setting activities at international entry points.
The operation led to 27 arrests, including 18 officers, and the freezing of 57 bank accounts worth approximately RM2.7 million.
From November 7 to 26, Op Tiger saw 49 individuals, including current and former bank officers, charged for allegedly accepting bribes to facilitate housing loan approvals.
The MACC also uncovered a scrap metal smuggling syndicate through Op Metal in July, preventing estimated export tax losses of more than RM950 million.
That operation, conducted across five states, resulted in the seizure of assets worth over RM183 million.
In Sabah, Op Karen in September led to the seizure of five vessels and 4.21 million litres of diesel, with total assets valued at RM32.07 million.
Bank accounts worth RM25 million were also frozen in connection with that case.
Op Grip targeted a tyre smuggling syndicate, seizing 17,672 tyres, six warehouses and freezing accounts worth approximately RM70 million.
Op Kembali was launched after a viral video implicated individuals in alleged bribery linked to a former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister.
Three individuals were detained, with two charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on December 4.
Under Op Sky, 16 individuals from banking institutions were charged, approximately 4,000 documents were seized and 98 bank accounts valued at RM17.4 million were frozen.
Overall, the MACC recorded seizures amounting to RM566.77 million under the MACC Act 2009 and RM6.26 billion under anti-money laundering laws.
Assets worth RM36.14 million were also frozen as of November 30.
During the same period, the commission received 6,114 pieces of information, opened 966 investigation papers and arrested 1,128 individuals.
It filed 445 charges and recorded 189 convictions.
