PUTRAJAYA: Eight individuals have been detained to assist with investigations into the freezing of several bank accounts belonging to clothing retailer Padini Holdings Bhd and its subsidiaries.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the investigation was ongoing, with statements already recorded from 10 individuals, while another 15 people would be tracked down to assist the probe.
“The case is still under investigation,” he told a press conference on Wednesday (May 6).
Azam said the anti-graft agency would continue to freeze the company’s assets despite applications by related parties seeking their release.
“However, the investigating officers are of the view that the company’s assets still need to remain frozen,” he said.
On April 25, Padini Holdings Bhd said it had initiated an internal review following the freezing of several bank accounts belonging to the company and its subsidiaries by the MACC.
The company said the action was linked to investigations involving several third parties outside the group, not its employees, officers or management.
Padini also said it had appointed external legal advisers and taken the necessary steps, including applying for relief to unfreeze the affected accounts, while maintaining that the group’s daily operations were continuing as usual.
Earlier, on April 24, the company informed Bursa Malaysia that the MACC had frozen several bank accounts identified as belonging to the company and its subsidiaries under an order issued pursuant to Section 44(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
