PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has clarified that the Notice to Trace Individuals issued against four people linked to the Ops Godfather probe is not a form of punishment or a “wanted list”, but a procedural step to secure their attendance to assist in investigations.
In a statement on Saturday (Feb 28), the MACC said the notice was not intended to shame any party but was issued following their failure to respond to and comply with two official notices served earlier.
The Ops Godfather investigation is being conducted under Sections 23 and 36 of the MACC Act 2009, as well as Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA) 2001.
“The investigation began following the 2021 Pandora Papers revelations by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) regarding the existence of offshore companies and assets linked to the late Tun Daim Zainuddin, his family members and business associates,” the MACC said.
“Preliminary intelligence led to the opening of investigation papers in 2023, and asset declaration notices were served between June and November that year, with five extensions granted, bringing the total compliance period to six months,” it added.
However, checks found there were still failures and non-compliance in declaring several assets, leading to charges being filed in January 2024 at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.
On Nov 20 last year, six new reports were opened following additional information from foreign enforcement agencies, including those from the United Kingdom, the United States and Singapore.
Six investigation papers were also opened against Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, Josephine Premla Sivaretnam and four children of the late Tun Daim for allegedly failing to fully declare assets.
The MACC said a Notice to Attend for Examination was served on Feb 13 through a law firm, with attendance set for March 11 this year, but no response had been received as of Feb 26.
The commission urged all individuals involved to immediately present themselves at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to assist in the investigation, stressing that all parties are subject to the rule of law.
