PUTRAJAYA: Sukuk funds at the centre of an embezzlement probe involving a “Tan Sri” were partly converted into digital currency, says Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
He said investigations revealed the amount came up to about RM11mil.
“We detected these transfers from the sukuk funds into digital currency, amounting to roughly RM11mil.
“The money is also believed to have been used to cover expenses,” he told a press conference yesterday.
When asked for details about the sukuk funds being used for gambling, Azam said he could not provide further details.
“It could have been used in casinos but I can’t go into details because I myself don’t play so I wouldn’t know,” he said in jest.
He said investigations should be completed within two months, with an outcome possibly even before that.
Previously, it was reported that the MACC seized various assets including handbags, jewellery, luxury vehicles, watches, cash and a luxury residence, estimated at about RM32mil, believed to belong to a highway concessionaire with the title Tan Sri.
Investigations also led to the seizure of premium alcoholic beverages valued at RM3mil, and that around RM20mil in sukuk funds were used for gambling.
On another matter, Azam said they are investigating the possibility that parts of government-injected funds into Sapura Energy were misappropriated by a high-ranking official.
He noted that they are examining assets owned by the official involved, including two homes valued at RM5.5mil.
“Investigations are ongoing into whether some RM12mil was misappropriated. We will focus on 2018, as during that time, Permodalan Nasional Berhad made an injection (of funds) into Sapura Energy,” he said.
In a related case involving the same company, Azam said that investigations into alleged bribes of US$3.3mil received from a foreign-based company could take time due to foreign legal jurisdictions.
Azam also said a non-governmental organisation in Melaka is under investigation for allegedly misusing RM26mil in public donations.
Its group chairman, secretary, treasurer and finance manager have since been arrested.
Azam said the money was contributed by the public for humanitarian relief efforts.
“The main suspect is the chairman, who has just been released from remand. Investigations are ongoing,” he said, adding that most of the funds were reportedly spent on personal expenditures and purchasing assets like land and buildings.
