GEORGE TOWN: A prominent businessman with the Tan Sri title has been detained by the police for alleged involvement in Mobility Beyond Imagination (MBI) money-laundering activities.
The businessman is the managing director of a company that has won billion-ringgit projects in Penang, Perak and Kedah.
In the latest swoop by the Inspector-General of Police secretariat’s Anti-Money Laundering (Amla) division, several businessmen from Penang, Kedah and Kuala Lumpur have been detained for questioning.
Two Penang-based lawyers, both with the Datuk title, were hauled up over the weekend.
It is understood that several stock transaction and real estate documents and files were seized from the lawyers.
One of them holds an advisory role in the Penang-based non-governmental organisation while the other has ties with European consulates in the country.
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A well-known “Datuk Seri” property tycoon and his wife were also hauled up by the police in Kedah on Tuesday to shed light on the probe.
The Datuk Seri is the chairman of a Kuala Lumpur-based company with several projects in Penang, Kedah and Petaling Jaya.
MBI founder Tedy Teow was deported to China in August last year to assist the Chinese government in its investigation into his role in MBI where many Chinese nationals had invested their money.
It is believed that the recent police action to haul up several people was based on information provided by their Chinese counterparts following interrogation on Teow.
Sources said the funds allegedly scammed from the investors have been traced to Penang.
The money is believed to have been invested in several large-scale development projects in the state.
It is learnt that the operation by the Amla division is ongoing and several more suspects are expected to be detained in the coming days.
A police statement is also expected to be issued soon.
