Several frozen meat importing firms in Johor raided by MACC

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has conducted a series of raids over the past two weeks in its investigations on several frozen meat importing companies operating in Johor.

Revealing this, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said import documents dating back to 2015 were seized during the raids.

"Investigators are going through the documents and the companies' accounts to trace their activities.

"We are in the process of determining the mastermind behind the meat cartel and if they had received protection from any enforcement officers," he said on Monday (Jan 4).

The MACC has also arrested four individuals, including two company directors for alleged corruption in the case of importing frozen meat without the authorities' approval.

The suspects, aged between 39 and 50, also include two companies' employees.

The arrests were made on Sunday and will be brought to Johor Baru Magistrate's Court on Monday.

The focus of the investigation will be on two aspects, including the offence of submitting false declarations in Customs Form 1 by the importing companies and agents handling the importation process.

Sources said the second focus is on whether the said companies had paid any corruption money via their accounts.