KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies amounting to about RM218mil.
It has also suspended several import licences that were allegedly misused for the illegal importation of cigarettes, tobacco and cigars.
In a statement yesterday, Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin said the action was carried out under Ops Sikaro, which targeted 14 companies suspected of abusing legitimate import permits.
“Investigations revealed that these companies were operating under the guise of legal importers but were manipulating customs documentation, including altering customs codes and product descriptions, to evade paying the correct amount of taxes,” he said.
He added that the syndicates were also believed to be involved in large-scale smuggling activities, storing tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and liquor in private warehouses before distributing them to the market, Bernama reported.
Mohamad Zamri further stated that investigations are focusing on the involvement of forwarding agents, some of whom are believed to be operating without proper licences and engaging in embezzlement and document falsification to facilitate the illegal activities.
According to him, the syndicate’s activities are believed to have caused government tax revenue losses exceeding RM250mil between 2020 and 2024, involving tobacco and cigars, with total losses likely to be even higher.
“Cases of this magnitude have a serious impact on the nation’s revenue, funds that should be channelled towards public welfare and national development.
“The MACC will not compromise when it comes to corruption, money laundering or smuggling.”
