KUCHING: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) may engage foreign forensic experts as it widens its investigations into the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH).
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said the probe had uncovered eight more problematic investments by TH, in addition to the original six issues flagged by the RCI report.
As a result, MACC has opened eight more investigation papers, bringing the total to 14.
“We will need to scrutinise documentation involving agreements, contracts, minutes of meetings, decisions and related matters.
“The documentation is voluminous and examining it will require expertise and patience,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
As such, Abd Halim said MACC was considering appointing foreign experts to assist with forensic investigations into the documents and any evidence that may be uncovered.
“Discussions are ongoing, subject to the cost involved in appointing a foreign entity,” he said.
Abd Halim said seven people had been arrested so far, with five remanded and two released on bail due to health reasons.
He said MACC had recorded statements from 115 individuals so far, with more expected to be summoned soon to assist investigations into the eight additional investment issues.
On Ops Chick, which crippled an illegal frozen chicken import syndicate in Sabah on Tuesday, Abd Halim said investigations were ongoing to identify more individuals involved in the syndicate and whether other offences were committed.
He also said MACC had seized 10 containers with goods estimated to be worth RM3.747mil in total.
“The tax leakage associated with the seized goods is estimated at RM1.012mil,” he said, adding that seven mobile phones were also seized for investigation.
Seven individuals were remanded for three days on Wednesday in connection with the case.
