MACC arrests former state customs director in crackdown

The MACC yesterday arrested a former Customs Department director as part of the agency crackdown on illegal logging, illegal mining and smuggling.

According to MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya, the former customs director was arrested along with two directors of a private limited company.

“The former state director was arrested at the Kelantan MACC office whereas the other two suspects were nabbed at a hotel in Genting Highlands.

“A substantial amount of cash monies was also seized during the arrests,” she said in a statement today.

The anti-graft agency had also frozen the accounts of the 20 individuals, including the three suspects, and four entities.

The Kota Bharu magistrates court granted a five-day remand order against the suspects this morning, she added.

Koya had on Friday said the MACC would be focusing on combatting illegal logging and mining activities nationwide.

She reportedly said the commission was formulating strategies “that involve more sophisticated methods” as some perpetrators have become too comfortable as they have become too familiar with the existing system. - Mkini