RM26mil in US currency seized in spy agency graft probe

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PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized some US$6.3mil (RM26mil) in cash in its investigations into the alleged misappropriation of US$12mil in government funds involving the former head of a spy agency.  

The MACC has already arrested former Malaysian External Investigation Organisation (MEIO) director-general Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid and seven other former MEIO officers in its investigation, said MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki.  

“Our latest arrest was of a businessman in Kelantan at 11pm on Wednesday (Aug 29).  

“In total, nine people have been arrested so far and we are not ruling out the possibility of more arrests,” he told a press conference on Thursday (Aug 30).  

Azam added some US$4.07mil (RM16.8mil) of the recovered funds were seized from the businessman.  

“We raided a few premises including a condominium unit in Cyberjaya.  

“We can't classify the premises as an MEIO safe house as we have to investigate further,” he said.  

He added that the former DG and other MEIO officers were being investigated for abuse of power.  

“We are investigating the source of the funds and how the cash was brought into the country, as well as where it came from.  

“We believe the funds were government funds and we are investigating its purpose,” he said.