MACC seizes files from GLC office over alleged graft by senior officer

 

A team of MACC investigators visited Pelaburan Hartanah Berhad (PHB)’s office in Shah Alam, Selangor, yesterday to investigate alleged abuse of power at the government-owned company.

According to the anti-graft agency, they were checking information that a “very senior officer” at PHB allegedly abused their position to enjoy benefits beyond what they were entitled to.

The accumulated worth of the alleged benefits was suspected to reach six figures, said MACC Special Operations Division chief Azmi Kamaruzaman to Malaysiakini.

“Basically, a very senior officer at PHB allegedly abused their position and caused the company to spend beyond what it was supposed to.

“So, because of this, PHB was said to have spent a lot more because the officer allegedly misled the company into giving them (benefits) beyond their entitlement,” he said.

MACC received information on the alleged misconduct from a whistleblower, Azmi added.

He said the case is still in the inquiry phase where MACC is trying to ascertain whether there is a basis for a full-blown investigation.

Investigators spent about three hours at the PHB office, speaking to several officers and taking some documents, he said.

Asked whether investigators have summoned the officer and others for questioning, Azmi said they have yet to reach that stage.

“We need to confirm several things by checking the documents we took from PHB yesterday.

“If we find there is a case, then we will go to the next steps,” he said.

PHB is a state-owned investment company under the Prime Minister’s Department. It is governed by a board of trustees chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

According to its website, PHB was established in 2006 as a property investment company “mandated by the government to increase bumiputera participation in the ownership of prime commercial real estate assets in Malaysia”. - Mkini