More than 50 people to be questioned in FGV probe

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will call up more than 50 people to assist in the ongoing investigation into Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV), said its deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki.

This may include FGV top brass, the chairperson Mohd Isa Abdul Samad and chief executive officer Zakaria Arshad, he added.

"The statements from these individuals are vital to enable the commission to complete the probe, which began last week.

"The investigation team will also go to Felda's office again to seize relevant documents," he was quoted as saying by The Star.

"We believe the statements will greatly assist the commission to wrap up the case as soon as possible. It will also depend on the evidence gathered," he said.

According to the New Straits Times, Azam said MACC officers would make another visit to FGV to obtain more documents on issues that were raised during the investigation process in the past week.

The timeframe needed to conclude the investigation would depend on the witnesses’ level of cooperation with the graft busters, he said.

MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad had confirmed the commission received several reports pertaining to the FGV probe.

On June 6, Zakaria, as well as FGV Group chief financial officer Ahmad Tifli Mohd Talha, Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd senior general manager Kamarzaman Karim, and FGV Trading CEO Ahmad Salman Omar were ordered to go on leave with immediate effect.

It was reported that the seized documents were believed to be linked to investigations over alleged irregular transactions involving the company.

A day later, Zakaria, armed with several documents in connection with FGV, turned up at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to give a statement on several business transactions by the company's subsidiary, Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd.

On June 8, a MACC team took eight hours to collect the documents at the office of Zakaria on the issue of payment to a subsidiary company.

Azam said MACC would investigate FGV in six areas for possible misconduct and abuse of power, and that it would gather “strong evidence” before taking further action.
“The questioning of all individuals will be recorded by investigating officers in order to complete the probe,” he added.

On June 8, officers from MACC went to FGV’s headquarters to seize documents pertaining to its investigation of the company.

The documents are believed to be linked to investigations over alleged irregular transactions involving the company.

MACC’s involvement was believed to have been triggered by a meeting between Zakaria Arshad and the anti-graft commission.

Since then, the government had appointed Pemandu Associates CEO, Datuk Seri Idris Jala as an independent party to establish the facts of the case.- Mkini