Switzerland's attorney-general has opened a criminal case against Swiss banking group UBS for laundering money from timber corruption in Sabah involving its Chief Minister Musa Aman through nominees.
This, according to a statement from indigenous rights advocacy group Bruno Manser Fund (BMF), has been confirmed by the Office of the Attorney-General in the Swiss capital, Bern.
The case against UBS was opened on Aug 29, 2012, following a criminal complaint by the NGO over the bank's close ties with Musa.
Musa and his nominees have been accused of laundering more than US$90 million in corruption proceeds from the tropical timber business through a number of UBS bank accounts in Hong Kong.
He also has a personal account with UBS in Zurich.
BMF is alleging that UBS failed to properly apply due diligence, as is required by Swiss law, when dealing with Politically Exposed Persons (PEP).
Musa is not only head of the Sabah state government but also the brother of the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anifah Aman.
The case is based on Switzerland's tough anti-money laundering legislation, which makes it a criminal offence for Swiss companies to be involved in laundering the proceeds from corruption and other crime in their worldwide activities.
This, according to a statement from indigenous rights advocacy group Bruno Manser Fund (BMF), has been confirmed by the Office of the Attorney-General in the Swiss capital, Bern.
The case against UBS was opened on Aug 29, 2012, following a criminal complaint by the NGO over the bank's close ties with Musa.
Musa and his nominees have been accused of laundering more than US$90 million in corruption proceeds from the tropical timber business through a number of UBS bank accounts in Hong Kong. He also has a personal account with UBS in Zurich.
BMF is alleging that UBS failed to properly apply due diligence, as is required by Swiss law, when dealing with Politically Exposed Persons (PEP).
Musa is not only head of the Sabah state government but also the brother of the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anifah Aman.
The case is based on Switzerland's tough anti-money laundering legislation, which makes it a criminal offence for Swiss companies to be involved in laundering the proceeds from corruption and other crime in their worldwide activities.
'Kickbacks from timber concessions'
BMF claims that Musa has personally benefited from the large-scale logging in tropical rainforests in Sabah, one of the world's most biodiverse habitat, via kickbacks from timber concessions granted by the state.
London-based website Sarawak Report had earlier exposed how acres of pristine forest have been cleared under questionable concessions allegedly handed to Musa's brother, Anifah
Sarawak Report cited documents leaked from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as its source.
UBS has so far remained silent on the allegations, as have the MACC and the Malaysian attorney-general.
However, Musa has denied Sarawak Report's claims, calling them‘recycled' allegations.
BMF claims that Musa has personally benefited from the large-scale logging in tropical rainforests in Sabah, one of the world's most biodiverse habitat, via kickbacks from timber concessions granted by the state.
London-based website Sarawak Report had earlier exposed how acres of pristine forest have been cleared under questionable concessions allegedly handed to Musa's brother, Anifah
Sarawak Report cited documents leaked from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as its source.
UBS has so far remained silent on the allegations, as have the MACC and the Malaysian attorney-general.
However, Musa has denied Sarawak Report's claims, calling them‘recycled' allegations.
Of course all these are recycled stories. Maybe now the Swiss Prosecutor is opening the case but still Musa is innocent until proven guilty. Some people (most probably Musa's rivals) merely exaggerating this situation for their own sake.
ReplyDeleteopposition just couldn't get a better fresh idea
DeleteWell well well, they are running out of clues already.
DeleteNow it has spread to all over the news already.
Deletethey just use it as political tools since the GE is just around the corner.
DeleteKes ini semakin rumit. Semoga bukti yang dikemukakan adalah sah dan benar.
ReplyDeleteEven the Singapore news make such news. I think this case is serious.
Deletekita tggu ja perkembangan kes ini.
DeletePersonally, the oppositions are trying so hard to let us know that Musa is actually doing it.
DeleteOf course.
DeleteBiarkan pihak berkuasa menjalankan tanggungjawab mereka menyelesaikan kes ini.
DeleteSerahkan kepada pihak berkuasa untuk membuat siasatan dan mengesahkan kes ini.
ReplyDeleteI wonder who's the swiss prosecutor.
DeleteConspiracy.
Deletepihak berkuasa juga tidak dapat buat apa2 sebab tidak ada bukti yang mengaitkan Datuk Musa terlibat dengan tuduhan ini.. sebab itu pembangkang menggunakan saluran media dari luar untuk menyebarkan pembohongan ini dengan harapan rakyat sendiri akan menghukum kerajaan pimpinan Datuk Musa..
DeleteHairan juga kenapa report ini boleh dikemukakan?
ReplyDeleteMeans there is something not good.
DeleteSpies are everywhere. Must be paid by someone.
DeleteBMF claims that Musa has personally benefited from the large-scale logging in tropical rainforests in Sabah, one of the world's most biodiverse habitat, via kickbacks from timber concessions granted by the state.
ReplyDeleteTuduhan ini amat besar untuk seorang KM, semoga siasatan terperinci dibuat agar tiada mana-mana pihak bebas dari hukuman selepas menjalankan aktiviti haram.
The whole story is downgrading the image of CM in people's eyes.
DeleteHate those people who intentionally want to break CM down in pieces.
Deletesetahu saya, Yong Teck Lee yang banyak memusnahkan hutan di Sabah.. 300000 hektar senang2 dia bagi dengan kroni2 dia.. sekarang yang tanggung akibatnya ialah Datuk Musa Aman..
DeleteHairan juga kenapa Musa sering dikaitkan dengan kes rasuah.
ReplyDeleteI wish I know the reasons as well.
DeleteThere must be someone who wants to bring him down.
Deletesebab pembangkang hari ini terdesak sangat mahu merampas kerajaan..
DeleteInilah salah satu risiko yang perlu dihadapi oleh seorang pemimpin.
DeleteSelagi Musa tidak dijatuhkan hukuman, harus juga menghentikan tuduhan berat seperti ini.
ReplyDeleteselagi belum dibuktikan bersalah, selagi itu tidak bersalah.
DeleteHe is innocent for sure.
Deleteselagi Musa Aman tidak dijatuhkan hukuman selagi itu mereka akan terus memainkan isu ini.. seolah2 mereka mahu rakyat yang menghukum Datuk Musa..
DeleteTidak perlu risau jika Musa tidak terlibat. Khabar angin akan lenyap sendiri tanpa bukti.
DeleteJika ada bukti, tedahkan kepada mahkamah untuk menjatuhkan hukuman.
Deletepihak lawan tidak akan henti2 untuk membangkitkan isu ini selagi mereka tidak berpuas hati.
DeletePKR is using an alleged money laundering case said to involve Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman to divert attention from allegations involving Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
ReplyDeleteand PKR also using Sarawak Report to spread they lies..
Deleteopposition is behind Sarawak Report.
DeleteThis allegation should stop.
ReplyDeletethey will only stop this issue after the 13th general election is finished..
DeleteICAC pernah datang ke Sabah.. tapi kenapa mereka tidak jalankan siasatan terhadap datuk Musa Aman? bukankah ini menunjukkan ICAC juga tidak mempunyai bukti bagi mengaitkan Datuk Musa dengan jenayah penggubahan wang haram ini?
ReplyDeletemakin dekat pilihanraya, makin gairah pembangkang memain2kan isu ini.. nampak sangat isu ini dibangkitkan hanya bermotifkan politik semata2..
ReplyDeleteIsu ini harus disiasat dengan terperinci.
ReplyDeleteCurrently the Swiss Authorities are investigating the UBS on the allegations that they are involved with Musa Aman, we should see what they bring up after the investigations have been made.
DeleteSemoga tiada fitnah terhadap Musa.
ReplyDeleteDatuk Musa Aman has said that he is innocent and is willing to cooperate with the authorities if they want to investigate him.
DeleteSelagi Musa masih berkuasa, tuduhan sebegini akan berterusan.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of spreading these sort of allegations is to destroy Musa Aman's name and bring him down.
DeleteMusa and his nominees have been accused of laundering more than US$90 million in corruption proceeds from the tropical timber business through a number of UBS bank accounts in Hong Kong.
ReplyDeleteTuduhan ini amat berat, harus membuat siasatan yang wajar.
These accusations are only baseless allegations that haven't been proven yet.
DeleteSarawak Report cited documents leaked from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as its source.
ReplyDeleteHow can Sarawak Report prove that the information is truly leaked from MACC?