KUALA LUMPUR: Two bank accounts with about RM1mil were frozen while RM170,000 in cash was seized by graft busters following an investigation into the management of electronic waste (e-waste).
The probe involves the director-general, deputy director-general and an assistant officer of the Department of Environment (DOE), plus another person.
Sources said the investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), which began on Jan 19, led to the freezing of a company account containing about RM700,000 and an individual bank account with about RM300,000.
“At the same time, the investigation is focusing on allegations of abuse of power and corruption involving the failure to take enforcement action against scheduled waste management companies linked to illegal waste disposal activities,” the source said.
On Jan 29, the DOE director-general, deputy director-general and an assistant officer were detained. They were remanded for seven days until Feb 5 while the other individual was remanded for three days until yesterday.
MACC senior investigation division director Datuk Zainul Darus confirmed the matter when contacted, saying it is being investigated under Section 16 of the MACC Act.
One source said the investigation covered alleged abuse of power and corruption linked to the management of e-waste, believed to have taken place over the past few years.
Prior to this, 16 bank accounts containing RM10.2mil, along with other assets such as vehicles and jewellery, were seized in connection with the probe into alleged corruption involving e-waste processing, effluent disposal and scheduled waste-dumping activities in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
