KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 55 personal and corporate bank accounts have been frozen in connection with the probe into IJM Corporation Bhd (IJM).
The action is part of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigations 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 at four places, including the residence and office of a senior official of the company.
“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, which include those from two senior members of the company’s management.
“The recording of statements from the two senior management personnel continued on Wednesday, and five more witnesses will be called to assist in the investigation.”
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.
On Jan 19, MACC’s Special Operations Division initiated investigations involving two senior company executives.
In a statement, IJM said as part of MACC’s ongoing enquiries, a limited number of the company’s bank accounts have been temporarily restricted to facilitate the process.
“The affected accounts comprise less than 10 bank accounts belonging to IJM.
“We wish to clarify that these measures do not affect IJM’s day-to-day business operations,” the company said.
IJM is co-operating fully with authorities in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
“We remain committed to upholding strong standards of corporate governance, transparency and integrity,” it added.
Previously, IJM said the company’s chairman, Tan Sri Krishnan Tan, met with officers from MACC on Tuesday and continues to cooperate fully with authorities.
“Other IJM personnel who have been requested to provide information are also cooperating fully as part of the process,” IJM said in a statement on Tuesday.
IJM also refuted allegations of money laundering, stressing that since 2012, its United Kingdom investments have been funded primarily through facilities from Malaysian financial institutions and channelled to relevant project-specific vehicles in the UK.
The company also dismissed reports suggesting it is linked to an investigation by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office, describing such claims as inaccurate.
Meanwhile, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the commission will intensify investigations into premises involved in the illegal importation of e-waste into the country.
“Intelligence gathering indicated that an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 containers carrying e-waste had been smuggled into Malaysia through major ports.
“The companies involved were believed to be owned by foreign nationals and were importing e-waste, plastic and paper for recycling purposes.
“Valuable components such as copper, alloys and gold are extracted while the remaining waste is disposed of by burning, burying or dumping it indiscriminately, resulting in air pollution and contamination of water sources,” he said in a statement.
