Op Metal probe: MACC now targets law enforcers, port staff
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has zeroed in on the unloading of a scrap metal shipment at the NBCT and has not ruled out the possibility that the company in Batu Maung, Penang, which is under investigation, had inside help from law enforcement and port authorities.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told the New Straits Times the commission was looking at elements of graft and abuse of power that had cost the government an estimated RM950 million in lost export duties over the past six years.
This latest development is a follow-up to the ongoing Op Metal, where MACC's Special Operations Division, through a multi-agency task force with the Customs Department, Internal Revenue Board and Bank Negara Malaysia, raided 19 locations in Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor and Kedah.
"We do not rule out the possibility of graft. Further investigations are being conducted," he said.
Azam said investigations revealed that the scrap metal came from both domestic and foreign sources.
"Further checks also revealed that the processed scrap metal would either be exported or sold to local companies. We are also looking into the likelihood that these activities avoided Customs duties and taxes."
Azam said the focus of the investigation was on a scrap metal company owner, a Penang-based "Datuk Seri" whose home in Batu Maung was also raided in the operation.
The "Datuk Seri", who was abroad during the raid, had his statement recorded by the MACC yesterday.
It was previously reported that a syndicate operating in five states was smuggling scrap iron out of the country, leading to the government losing about RM950 million in export duties over the past six years.
Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate would export smuggled scrap iron to India and China, among other countries, by declaring them to be machinery or machine parts, or other metals that were not subject to export duties of 15 per cent.
Sources told the NST the syndicate had bribed several law enforcement officers to ensure the consignments were cleared without paying the 15 per cent export duties.
Penang Port Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Sasedharan Vasudevan said the port operator did not have knowledge of the content inside containers.
"Only the Customs and other government agencies will know the nature as well as cargo content," he said.
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