KUALA LUMPUR: Some RM18.8mil in luxury vehicles and assets were seized while 121 bank accounts with RM11.5mil in funds were frozen by graft busters in connection with alleged enforcement-related corruption involving a prominent massage parlour chain.
Sources said the Malaysian-Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen 121 bank accounts, involving both personal and company accounts, with an estimated total value of RM11.5mil.
"To date, statements from 12 witnesses have been recorded.
"The probe also includes the freezing of assets in the Klang Valley and Johor suspected to be linked to money laundering activities. These include five luxury vehicles valued at about RM1.5mil, five commercial properties worth approximately RM7.3mil, two industrial properties valued at about RM2.3mil, and seven residential properties estimated at RM7.7mil," the source said.
So far, five individuals have been remanded to assist in an investigation into the case.
Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah allowed the remand application at a Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (Jan 28) following a request by the Malaysian-Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).
Four suspects were remanded for four days until Jan 31, while another suspect was remanded for three days until Jan 30 to facilitate further investigations.
All five suspects, aged between their 30s and 50s, are company directors and senior management personnel of several business entities.
They were detained on Tuesday (Jan 27) in operations carried out around the Klang Valley and Putrajaya.
On Monday (Jan 26), the MACC Special Operations Division conducted an integrated operation together with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) against the massage parlour chain, which operates 32 outlets nationwide and is believed to have been in operation since 2023.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the company is suspected of maintaining a dual-layer accounting system, in which a substantial portion of cash sales was allegedly not declared, resulting in an estimated annual tax leakage of RM7.56mil.
Investigators also uncovered alleged bribe payments made to enforcement officers and local authorities to facilitate the company’s operations and as protection money. Several individuals have been identified, and further action is being taken.
Confirming the operation, MACC Special Operations division senior director Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin said investigations are being conducted under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009, with authorities also examining elements of other criminal offences, including money laundering.
He added that investigations were ongoing.
