Over RM50mil in assets confiscated in probe involving military
PUTRAJAYA: More than RM50mil worth of cash, assets and money from frozen accounts were seized in two high-profile investigations involving the military.
A total of 40 investigators have been assigned to handle the cases since October last year.
In the first case on military procurements involving the former Army Chief, some RM11.4mil worth of cash and assets were seized, while 75 company bank accounts were frozen.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the items that were seized included cash, luxury watches, jewellery, gold and even a luxury vehicle.
“A total of 75 company bank accounts were frozen, with a total value of RM32.5mil.
Major haul: Some of the items seized in the probe include cash, luxury watches, jewellery, gold and a luxury vehicle. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
“Other items seized were RM4.4mil in cash, RM1.4mil in foreign currencies, 26 luxury watches, mostly Rolex, valued at RM2.3mil, jewellery and gold worth more than RM3.4mil, as well as a luxury vehicle estimated at RM360,000,” he told a press conference at the MACC headquarters yesterday.
Azam said the funds and assets were seized at a residence in Kuala Lumpur and another at a house in Besut, Terengganu.
“My officers had to travel to Terengganu twice to obtain the case items following intelligence gathered,” he said.
Azam said all luxury watches have been authenticated and confirmed to be genuine.
“I believe one of the watches cost about RM200,000,” he added.
Meanwhile, for the second case on alleged abuse of military and Defence Ministry funds involving top military officers, Azam said some RM8.42mil worth of cash, assets and funds in over 12 bank accounts were seized in connection with the abuse of military funds involving top Armed Forces officers.
He said among the items seized were 66 gold bars weighing 2.49kg, three vehicles, RM1.5mil cash and RM4.7mil in eight company accounts and four private accounts.
“Our main focus for this case is the abuse of Defence Ministry funds. Our investigation started on Oct 7 last year,” he said.
Commenting on both investigations, Azam said the ongoing investigations involving military top brass must be completed as soon as possible, given the sensitivities involved.
He stressed that he did not receive any directive or instruction to pursue both cases.
“While the amount involved in other cases might be more, these cases are high profile and involve huge public interest,” he said.
Azam said his officers had to conduct the investigations within a tight time frame.
“They have worked tirelessly since late last year.
“Off days or leave do not exist for them. I salute them for doing such a commendable work,” he added.
He also did not rule out the possibility that more military officers would be called up in the investigations into both cases.
“We will settle both cases next week, and I will give an update.
“Give us time to wrap it up,” he said.
