KUALA LUMPUR: A freelance preacher was remanded for five days to assist in investigations into the alleged misappropriation of about RM12.3mil belonging to a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The suspect, in his 30s, was remanded until April 26 following an application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday.
Sources said the suspect was arrested at about 8pm on Tuesday when he turned up to give his statement at the Negri Sembilan MACC office.
Initial investigations showed the suspect, who is also the NGO’s chairman, is believed to have committed the offences between September 2022 and the present.
He is suspected of abusing his position and conspiring with two other committee members to transfer approximately RM12.3mil into his personal bank accounts and into accounts belonging to eight companies linked to him.
Sources added that the MACC has frozen 15 bank accounts comprising three personal accounts, three NGO accounts and nine company accounts, with a total value of about RM16.5mil.
The commission also seized cash amounting to RM6,576, foreign currency totalling 95,568 Saudi riyal and S$795.
Luxury items including three watches worth about RM5,000, three handbags worth about RM3,000, five bracelets valued at about RM26,000, a ring worth about RM2,000, a necklace worth about RM7,000, and 51 pieces of gold weighing 1g each valued at approximately RM31,000 were also seized.
Negri Sembilan MACC director Awgkok Ahmad Taufik Putra Awg Ismail confirmed the arrest when contacted. He added that the case is being probed under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009.
