The MACC has admitted to facing constraints in its investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement of six littoral combat ships (LCS) and the graft buster will require more time to conduct the probe.
Its deputy commissioner (Operations) Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the MACC needs to get its hands on decade-old documents as the LCS cases started as far back as 2009.
Apart from that, Khusairi said the anti-corruption agency has to go through the proper legal channels to engage with foreign companies and entities to obtain information for the investigation.
"So far, we have opened three investigation papers and the probe is ongoing.
"One must understand the constraints we are facing because of the efforts in obtaining (old) documents as the cases began in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
"The cases also involved a few foreign companies and overseas entities. So it will take time. We need to undergo procedures and use the right legal channel, known as the ‘mutual legal assistance in criminal matter’," he told a press conference after attending an event in Kuala Lumpur today.
Khusairi added that the MACC is required to cooperate with relevant parties in these countries.
"So, give us more time to conduct the investigation."
On Nov 21 last year, Royal Malaysian Navy Veterans Association (PVTLDM) president Mohamad Imran Abd Hamid lodged a report with the MACC concerning a project to construct six LCS which failed to be delivered as scheduled.
The project, worth RM9.128 billion, was awarded to Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) by the government through the Defence Ministry with RM6 billion already paid.
On Jan 24, the MACC detained two chief executive officers after finding new leads.
It was reported that a broker was arrested three weeks ago for allegedly submitting false documents in connection with the LCS procurement.
Mitra case
On another development, Khusairi noted that the MACC is expected to charge individuals involved in the misappropriation of funds from the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) tomorrow.
"We have completed the investigation into Mitra 1.0 involving 10 companies and we have referred the matter to the legal and prosecution division. It's likely that we will press two charges in the Kuala Lumpur court and Ipoh court respectively tomorrow," he said.
Under MACC's Mitra 2.0 operation, Khusairi said the graft buster would focus on 17 companies, NGOs and individuals that received an allocation of between RM1 million and RM9 million.
"We have formed a task force with the (cooperation of) National Unity Ministry in order for us to scrutinise the rest (of the companies, NGOs and individuals). It's about 310 individuals and companies," he added.
According to Khusairi, a total of 337 companies, associations and NGOs were identified to have been approved grant allocations by Mitra from 2019 to 2021, with an allocation of about RM203 million.
Mitra made headlines last year when it was embroiled in a funds embezzlement scandal.
Last year, the MACC arrested 17 company directors who had handled Mitra grants.
In October the same year, Klang MP Charles Santiago had asked National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique to explain where funds amounting to RM9.1 million from Mitra were spent.
On Oct 9 last year, Halimah was reported to have said that her ministry was ready to give full cooperation to the MACC on the issue that had gone viral.
Mara probe almost done
Meanwhile, Khusairi noted that the MACC has almost completed its investigation into the alleged wrongdoing and integrity issues involving five senior officers of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara).
"The investigation is 99 percent complete. It's likely for us to refer it to the director of legal and prosecution division for further study," he said.
As for the alleged misuse of Mara credit card, he said the matter is still under investigation.
"We are focusing on the term of reference in the issuance of the credit card, whether it allows individual usage or for an official purpose...
“We need to look at many aspects - administrative and crime," he added.
Khusairi, however, said the investigation can be concluded soon.
Last Thursday, the media reported that the MACC had begun an investigation into allegations of corporate credit card misuse by the top management of Mara Corp.
On Feb 5, the MACC confirmed receiving a report on alleged integrity issues involving several senior Mara officials, which are being investigated internally by the agency.
Two days later, the graft buster raided Mara and Mara Corp headquarters, as well as a corporate secretary company, and seized documents consisting of proposal papers and minutes of board meetings, financial documents and payroll, as well as documents concerning human resources. - Mkini
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