PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian-Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) seized a whopping US$6.3 million (about RM26 million) in cash and arrested a businessman in connection with investigations into alleged abuse of power by the former director-general of the now-defunct Malaysian Internal External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO) and her officers.
The MACC has already arrested Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid, the former MEIO director-general, and seven other former MEIO officers in its investigation.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki revealed this in a special press conference today, detailing the total amount of seized cash, from various premises, currently stands at some US$6.3million.
“We raided a condominium unit linked to the businessman at Cyberjaya yesterday night and the main seizure was conducted at the unit. The businessman was arrested in Kelantan last night.
“We believe a total sum of US$12million of government funds was allegedly swindled and our investigators are in the midst of tracing the remaining amount. Our probe focuses on the source of the funds and how the cash was raised, and how it was brought into the country,” he said today.
The arrest of the 47-year-old businessman brings the total number of suspects in custody to nine people.
He also confirmed that the former DG and other MEIO officers were being investigated for abuse of power.
Azam also urged anyone, including civil servants, with information on the case or whereabouts of the remaining cash to come forward.
He promised that those who come forward would be placed under witness protection and this includes those who might have the money in their keeping.
“We believe the funds were government funds and we are investigating its purpose,” he said.
Yesterday, Hasanah was remanded for five days to assist in investigations into misappropriation of government funds for the 14th General Election (GE14).
She is being investigated under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
THE SUN DAILY
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