Alleged 'corporate mafia' member wants RCI to probe MACC after premises raided

 

Businessperson Victor Chin has urged that any investigations into alleged corporate intimidation should include the “roles and conduct” of the MACC and police.

Chin, who is being probed for alleged involvement in a so-called “corporate mafia”, told Bloomberg that he supports the calls for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI).

However, he asserted that any investigation must not focus on the corporate mafia allegations alone, but include enforcement agencies.

“Yes, there is a corporate mafia in this country. But I am not the corporate mafia,” he was quoted as saying.

“For years, I have been perceived as the so-called ‘corporate mafia’ simply because my professional work involves providing corporate services and advisory services to businesspersons and companies, some of whom later became subjects of allegations or investigations,” he added.

According to StarBiz, the police raided Chin's properties at Sungai Long and Kemensah in Kuala Lumpur last Friday.

Items seized include two cars, luxury watches, jewellery, cash in ringgit and foreign currencies, as well as documents.

The report, citing sources, said Chin and his wife were not present during the raids, but three of his aides were.

Alleged MACC collusion

Last month, Bloomberg named Chin as part of a network of businesspeople who allegedly colluded with the MACC to stage corporate takeovers of rivals.

The report detailed a tactic in which a group of businesspersons would target a company, then file MACC complaints against it. MACC would then investigate the company’s founders, exerting pressure that enabled the complainants to gain control of the firm.

In its report, Bloomberg alleged that MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki was aware of such activities and had acted in support of those perpetrating them.

MACC chief Azam Baki

In response, leaders on both sides of the political divide, as well as civil society organisations, called for an RCI to investigate the claims.

Last week, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said the cabinet had ordered the police, Inland Revenue Board, MACC, and Securities Commission, among others, to investigate the “corporate mafia” claims.

However, in a rebuke to the Madani administration, the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism stressed that an RCI would be the best way forward, as the MACC cannot investigate itself.

MACC has issued a firm denial regarding the claims, dismissing them as baseless while alleging they are part of a smear campaign intended to undermine the agency’s reputation.

The report emerged amid scrutiny of Azam, whose tenure has been extended three times by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, over the MACC chief’s shareholdings. This was the focus of a separate inquiry. - Mkini