LGE: MACC forfeiture list just tip of iceberg, press clubs implicated too

KUALA LUMPUR: The civil forfeiture filed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against 41 individuals and entities to recover RM270mil from 1MDB is just the tip of the iceberg, says Lim Guan Eng.

The Finance Minister said he believed there were far more than 41 individuals and entities that had received monies from 1MDB.

However, he said he wasn't sure if the MACC would be drawing up a new list.

He said several companies and various associations, including press clubs, were involved in taking 1MDB monies.

"The list 1MDB money recipients who haven't been named in the first list is still very long.

"Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed isn't sure whether there will be a new list, I'm not aware as well.

"But one thing for sure is that there are more than 41 entities who have received money from 1MDB. This includes companies, individuals, press associations which involves reporters and photographers from newspapers," he added.

Abu Kassim, the director-general of the Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC), was present with Lim at the Inland Revenue Board's (IRB) Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration in Putrajaya on Tuesday (June 25).

Lim said he hoped those individuals and entities not yet named by the MACC would emulate what happened with taxpayers with the IRB's Special Voluntary Disclosure Programme. He said he hoped they would voluntarily return the monies from 1MDB to the Finance Ministry.

"Don't wait for the MACC to publish another list and freeze your accounts.

"I believe that this method is not only respected by the people, but would also reduce the government's challenges in recovering monies from 1MDB.