[UPDATED]: MACC questions 27 witnesses in scrap metal, e-waste smuggling probe

New Straits Times

5 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has questioned 27 witnesses in connection with its operation against a syndicate involved in the smuggling of scrap metal and e-waste across five states.
The syndicate is believed to have bribed enforcement officers, resulting in a loss of export tax revenue estimated at more than RM950 million.
According to a source, one of the suspects believed to be involved in the activities was also questioned today.
"However, no arrests have been made so far.
"To date, the MACC has frozen a total of 324 bank accounts, 142 belonging to companies and 182 to individuals, involving nearly RM150 million, with seized assets amounting to approximately RM183 million.
"In total, the value of seized and frozen assets now stands at more than RM332 million," the source said.
Meanwhile, MACC Special Operations Division senior director, Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, when contacted, confirmed the information and said that the MACC is still in the process of identifying suspects linked to the syndicate, which has caused the government to suffer export tax losses of more than RM950 million over the past six years.
He added that the MACC is currently scrutinising the financial sources of the suspects and the companies under investigation in collaboration with agencies such as the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
"In addition to investigations under Sections 16 and 18 of the MACC Act 2009, as well as offences related to money laundering, probes are also being conducted under the Income Tax Act 1967 and the Customs Act 1967 by the relevant agencies involved in this operation," he said.
It was reported that three bungalows, a penthouse, shop lots, land, oil palm plantations, luxury cars, and luxury watches are among the assets seized, estimated to be worth more than RM183 million, following a raid on a scrap metal smuggling syndicate across five states that began yesterday.
According to sources, the raids under Op Metal were carried out by the Special Operations Division of the MACC in collaboration with the Customs Department, Inland Revenue Board, and Bank Negara Malaysia.
The operation also saw the freezing of 45 company accounts and 82 individual bank accounts involving a total value of about RM51 million.
The source added that during the raid, the MACC also seized five luxury watches, namely Patek Philippe, Tag Heuer, Rolex, Omega Speedmaster and Omega Seamaster, estimated to be worth more than RM740,000.
The MACC also conducted searches at 13 new locations in Penang, Kedah, Johor and around the Klang Valley on July 15.