M'sia opposition politician linked to corruption probe; Funds allegedly used in Singapore

MALAYSIA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on 14 October has raided two safe houses, including an office, and seized RM321,000 (US$74,500) in both foreign and local currencies as part of its investigation into a case involving Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), a body established to administer the assets and investments of the state government.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki announced on 15 October 2024, that RM78,000 was found in the office, while the remaining S$74,000 (about RM243,000)  was located at the other safe house.

“We also received information that a certain amount of money was used for investments in Singapore, but I cannot disclose the full amount or its owner,” Mr Azam told the media when attending a convention in Kota Kinabalu.

The case also reportedly involves a prominent politician.

Earlier, on 13 October, it was reported that the MACC discovered RM5 million (approximately US$1,164,075) in foreign currency during a raid at a condominium unit in Kuala Lumpur, also linked to the prominent politician involved in the corruption probe.

According to local media, MACC stated that one of the suspects arrested revealed that the condominium unit was used as a safe house to store the proceeds of corruption, while the money was also used to fund political activities.

It is believed that the prominent politician instructed a businessman to store the money, which was given by an unidentified individual at the apartment, as reported by Free Malaysia Today.

Former MBI Senior Executive Among Two Arrested in Sand Mining Concession Probe

Previously, Sinar Harian reported that a former MBI senior executive was among the two individuals arrested by MACC in an investigation into a sand mining concession granted by a subsidiary of the state investment body.

The two arrested individuals—one being a businessman—were allegedly linked to a prominent opposition leader with political influence in Selangor, according to local media.

When asked whether the anti-graft agency had summoned the politician involved for its investigation, Mr Azam stated on 14 October that this would only occur when sufficient evidence is available.

“I certainly will not reject or deny that he will be called in, but only after my team or the investigating officer is satisfied with several more findings, including related documents and funds. "

"As of now, around 15 witnesses have already been called, and I expect many more will be summoned for the investigation,” he said.

Mr Azam also did not disclose whether the individual is currently in government or if more politicians are involved.

“We think we will discover more at the other ‘safe houses’. We are still conducting investigations. Other ‘safe houses’ may have potentially been used to store the proceeds,” Mr Azam was quoted as saying by Harian Metro.

He added that the two suspects who were detained have already been released. One of them is a 43-year-old male driver, while the other is a 46-year-old former financial officer at a firm that secured the sand mining concession several years ago, according to Free Malaysia Today.