KUALA LUMPUR: Graft busters are investigating IJM Corporation Bhd (IJM) over an alleged money-laundering scheme involving up to RM2.5bil.
It is learnt that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is also probing suspected manipulation of the company’s share price.
Sources said two people of interest have been identified – a senior member of the company’s management who holds the title of Tan Sri, and a company adviser.
Both are believed to be overseas.
Investigators are currently gathering further information related to the allegations, sources added.
When contacted, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that an investigation into the company is underway.
“We will divulge further information from time to time,” he said.
The probe follows an investigation by the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office into suspected money laundering and corruption.
Meanwhile, IJM confirmed that MACC officers and the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia were present at the company’s office yesterday to obtain information.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the construction company said it is cooperating fully with the authorities.
“The company is committed to upholding strong standards of corporate governance, transparency and integrity.
“We would like to assure our stakeholders that our business operations are continuing as usual.
“The company will continue to monitor developments in this matter and will make timely disclosures should there be any material updates,” it said in a Bernama report.
On a separate matter, MACC said it has submitted its investigation related to Ops Parasit and Ops Star on senior Malaysian Armed Forces officers to the public prosecutor for review and further instructions.
Azam said the submission includes proposed charges for the prosecution’s evaluation.
“Any subsequent developments will be communicated in due course,” he said in a statement yesterday that was contained in a Bernama report.
The referral follows last Thursday’s reports that 23 individuals, including two senior and four high-ranking armed forces officers, were detained by MACC as part of the probe.
Azam clarified that the arrests were related to a corruption and abuse of power investigation focusing on the procurement and use of public funds.
He described the case, which was initiated last Oct 7, as highly sensitive due to the seniority of the implicated officials and its significant public interest.
“The allegations involve the receipt of bribes from several companies linked to procurement contracts for the Armed Forces Welfare Fund and the Defence Ministry,” he added.
