MACC seizes RM4mil in assets from preacher in RM12.3mil probe

 Two NGO committee members suspected of colluding with him have also been identified as his wife and the organisation’s secretary.

Yesterday, MACC arrested the preacher, believed to be in his 30s, for suspected abuse of power and misappropriation of about RM12.3 million in funds from an NGO he chairs.

PETALING JAYA:

 The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized assets worth nearly RM4 million believed to be linked to an independent preacher under investigation for alleged misappropriation of funds from an NGO.

A source said MACC’s Negeri Sembilan branch carried out the latest seizure today, involving various foreign and local currencies totalling RM152,155, as well as 7,325 Saudi riyals (RM7,740) and S$27,134 (RM84,240).

“In addition to the cash, various gold ornaments valued at about RM2 million were confiscated, bringing the total value of assets seized over the past two days to around RM4 million,” the source said, according to Bernama.

Preliminary investigations also identified the two NGO committee members suspected of colluding with the preacher as his wife, who serves as the organisation’s treasurer, and the organisation’s secretary.

“Investigations found that funds were allegedly transferred into the preacher’s personal bank account as well as into accounts belonging to eight companies linked to him without the knowledge of the other committee members,” said the source.

Negeri Sembilan MACC director Awangkok Ahmad Taufik Putra Awang Ismail confirmed the matter.

He said the eight companies are involved in printing, publishing, book sales, marketing, product distribution, human resources management, and product ambassador management.

Yesterday, MACC arrested the preacher, believed to be in his 30s, for suspected abuse of power and misappropriation of about RM12.3 million in funds from an NGO he chairs.

MACC has frozen 15 bank accounts in its investigation, including three personal accounts, three belonging to the NGO, and nine company accounts, worth a total of about RM16.5 million.

The seizures today come after the agency previously seized RM6,576, a total of 95,568 riyals and S$795 in cash. It also seized three watches worth about RM5,000, three handbags worth about RM3,000, five bracelets worth about RM26,000, a ring worth about RM2,000, a chain worth about RM7,000, and 51 gold pieces weighing 1g each, worth about RM31,000. - FMT