KUALA LUMPUR: A special task force has been formed to investigate the Retirement Fund (Incorporated)'s (KWAP) investment in Indonesian aquaculture technology company eFishery.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said the investigation officially began on July 17, examining KWAP's investment in eFishery's "Smart Feeder" technology for fish and shrimp farming.
"The special task force is led by the MACC senior director of investigation and comprising senior officers from the Investigation, Legal and Prosecution as well as Governance Investigation Divisions.
"Investigators have also gone to KWAP's premises on July 20," he said in a statement Thursday (July 23).
So far graft busters have recorded the statements from 10 witnesses.
"Investigators interviewed 10 witnesses comprising senior KWAP and Finance Ministry officials involved in the investment decision-making process.
"They are now analysing the witness statements and reviewing documents seized during the probe.
"Our probe is comprehensive, covering possible elements of corruption, abuse of power and misappropriation, while also scrutinising governance issues, including financial procedures, legal compliance and the decision-making process behind KWAP's investment in eFishery," he added.
Abd Halim said MACC will also conduct financial trail analyses, including cash transaction reports (CTR) and suspicious transaction reports (STR).
"Among the documents being scrutinised are the initial and final investment proposal papers, site visit reports, minutes of meetings related to eFishery, due diligence reports, investment procedures and KWAP's financial records.
"It is still too early to disclose the findings as the investigation had only recently begun," he said.
More individuals are expected to be called in to assist in the investigation, including members of KWAP's Finance Committee and all members of its Investment Panel involved in the investment, he said.
"Several parties overseas had been identified to assist in the investigation.
"We will submit applications for Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (MACMA) through the Attorney General's Chambers to obtain evidence and statements from witnesses abroad," he added.
Abd Halim urged all parties to allow investigators the time and space needed to conduct a thorough investigation, noting that cases of such complexity require time to complete.
"We will leave no stone unturned in our search for evidence," he said.
