Navy officer detained by MACC owns 2 budget hotels near Lumut base

 

A senior Royal Malaysian Navy officer detained by MACC allegedly owns two budget hotels located about 10km from the Lumut naval base in Perak, according to Berita Harian.

Although classified as budget hotels, MACC investigations found the two properties are currently valued at at least RM2 million.

“At present, it is unclear whether the two hotels were declared as assets owned by the officer.

“However, under the ethics and conduct regulations of the Defence Ministry, failure to do so may result in disciplinary action,” the report added.

It was reported that MACC seized two hotels in Perak as part of Ops Layar, an investigation into alleged corruption involving Royal Malaysian Navy project procurement.

MACC intelligence division senior director Saiful Ezral Arifin confirmed the matter but declined to comment further.

Royal Malaysian Navy personnel

Earlier today, it was reported that MACC has frozen 21 bank accounts in relation to “Ops Layar”.

The accounts, 14 of which belong to individuals with funds estimated at RM700,000, were frozen to facilitate investigations into the recommendation and appointment of a crony company involving a senior navy officer.

The MACC, in collaboration with the Accountant General’s Department, is reviewing several companies to determine whether they were awarded tenders or quotations.

“MACC is also tracing other assets owned by the suspect, as well as assets belonging to company owners believed to be acting in collusion with the suspect,” a source said.

Initial investigations also revealed that the senior officer is suspected of owning assets disproportionate to his declared emoluments.

Apart from the hotels, the assets included three houses and three shophouses. - Mkini