PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has summoned three celebrities to give their statements as part of the ongoing probe into a financial consultancy company’s involvement in corruption and money laundering activities under Ops Sky.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed their bank accounts were not frozen.
“It has nothing to do with their accounts. The total funds frozen so far under Ops Sky amounted to around RM80mil. The money is in the company’s accounts,” he said at the MACC headquarters here yesterday.
Azam explained that the three celebrities were likely engaged as influencers to create content promoting the company’s services.
“However, why did we summon them? It is not only to complete our investigation but also to understand why the company needed celebrities to promote their packages, particularly to civil servants, encouraging them to take loans from financial institutions,” he said.
Azam added that while the payments received by these celebrities were not the main concern, the substantial investments made by the company in engaging influencers had raised suspicions.
“In this investigation, we need to look at all angles. These celebrities were called in to assist our probe and provide statements that could be relevant.
“If there are other influencers involved, we will not hesitate to summon them,” he said.
It is learnt that the three celebrities are Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan, Siti Roziana Zain, better known as Ziana Zain, and astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha.
The trio arrived at the MACC headquarters at 9.30am yesterday and were allowed entry through the back entrance of the office.
Commenting further on the probe, Azam revealed that beyond facilitating loans for individuals deemed ineligible, the syndicate had another modus operandi.
“The company not only made it easy for people to secure loans but also encouraged government officers – who were the majority of borrowers – to reinvest their loan money into the company itself,” he said.
He said this aspect of the case is being closely examined to determine whether it constitutes illegal deposit-taking.
In January, the MACC launched Ops Sky, successfully dismantling corruption and money laundering activities involving financial consulting companies and bank officers from several financial institutions.
Raids were carried out at 24 locations across the Klang Valley, targeting residences and offices linked to the syndicate.
Investigations found that celebrities and artistes had received up to RM400,000 for promoting the company as brand ambassadors over one to two years.
Reports indicate that about RM700mil in loans were approved for civil servants, with suspected elements of corruption and money laundering in the process.
So far, 27 individuals have been detained, including 18 bank officers, eight staff members, and one member of the public. All have since been released on MACC bail.
Separately, Azam said the MACC has yet to open an investigation into allegations of misconduct involving a RM4mil procurement contract by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Therefore, he said the anti-graft agency has not called in any individuals, including film producer and actor Datuk Afdlin Shauki for questioning.
Azam said the documents recently obtained from DBKL’s internal probe are still being assessed, adding that he will provide further updates next Monday.
Last week, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa stated that DBKL’s internal investigation into allegations of misconduct involving Afdlin in a RM4mil procurement contract is expected to be completed this week.
In response, Afdlin, who is a DBKL advisory board member, denied the allegations, stating that the issue was being deliberately used to tarnish his reputation.
