KUALA LUMPUR: Wives can be charged under the Anti-Money Laundering Act if they hide any misappropriation of funds by their husbands.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad (pix) said wives can be considered accomplices in committing the crimes.
“In the Anti-Money Laundering Act, people can be convicted of a crime if they do not take steps to verify the source of their gains.
“When wives are given expensive gifts, they have to ask their husbands where they got the money from to buy items that exceed their salaries," he said.
He cited the case of a public servant who was only of Grade 52 post, but had millions of ringgit stashed away.
“We found millions in his house. How can a wife, who lives under the same roof, not know about that money?” asked Dzulkifli during a forum on corruption Monday.
According to him, wives have a role in ensuring their husbands are not involved in corruption.
He said this is by staying informed on their husbands salaries, as well as questioning their source of income.
“If that is not done, and when MACC has completed its investigation, action can be taken against the wife for being an accomplice,” he said.
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