KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 55 personal and corporate bank accounts have been frozen in connection with the probe on IJM Corporation Bhd.
The move is part of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigative efforts into alleged corporate governance issues involving procurement processes, financial transactions and overseas asset ownership estimated at about RM2.5bil.
Sources said investigators, acting under Ops Heart, conducted inspections and searches at four separate locations, including the residence and office of a senior member of the company.
“At the same time, the MACC froze 55 personal and corporate bank accounts linked to the case, with total funds amounting to about RM15.8mil,” a source said.
The source added that investigations are also focused on tracing and seizing other assets as part of the ongoing investigation.
"So far, nine statements have been recorded, including from two senior members of the company’s management.
“The recording of statements from the two senior management personnel will continue on Wednesday (Jan 21), and five more witnesses will be called to assist the investigation,” the source said.
Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the probe is being carried out under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA).
On Jan 19, the MACC’s Special Operations Division initiated investigations involving two senior company executives.
On Tuesday, the MACC said it had recorded statements from nine individuals, including two persons of interest, to assist in the probe.
