Iris deputy MD arrested by MACC, COO to take over

KUALA LUMPUR: Iris Corp Bhd deputy managing director Datuk Hamdan Mohd Hassan was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over an e-passport project in Republic of Guinea.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Iris said Hamdan had been alleged to have abused his power and to have been involved in corrupt practices in the e-passport project for the government of Guinea.

Iris had signed a 15-year contract with the government of Guinea for the implementation of the e-passport facility in that country.

At the Magistrates Court in Putrajaya yesterday, the MACC has obtained a remand order for six days to facilitate in their investigations.

“Pending the finalisation of the investigations, Iris wishes to announce that Hamdan’s executive powers are suspended and his present duties and responsibilities as acting chief executive officer of Iris will be taken over by the current chief operating officer, Choong Choo Hock,” it said in the statement.

Iris said the remand of Hamdan would not have any implications on the validity of the contract between Iris and the government of Guinea nor does Iris expect that it would have any implications on the e-passport project.

It added that the remand of Hamdan would not have any material effect on the earnings and net assets of the company for the financial years ending March 31, 2017 and 2018.