KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) raided several companies suspected of being involved in large-scale tobacco, cigarette and cigar smuggling activities.
The smuggling is believed to have cost the government an estimated RM250mil in tax revenue over the past five years.
The operation, codenamed Ops Sikaro, was carried out by MACC’s special operations division in collaboration with the Inland Revenue Board, Bank Negara and Customs Department.
MACC senior director of special operations, Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, said 14 locations across the Klang Valley and Johor were targeted.
Investigations are being conducted under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009 as well as Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, he added.
“MACC will not compromise with any party attempting to profit from corruption, money laundering and smuggling that cause significant losses to the nation,” he said in a statement yesterday.
