MACC to call up 20 more witnesses in RM180m data centre case
MACC Investigation Division senior director Zainul Darus said that, so far, they have recorded statements from 12 individuals in connection with the investigation.
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New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
RM200 per passport: Border officers arrested over 'flying passport' racket
JOHOR BAHRU: Four enforcement officers have been arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe of RM3,000 while on duty at the motorcycle entry zone checkpoint along the Johor-Singapore border. According to a source from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the four male suspects, aged between their 20s and 40s, were detained today at the Johor MACC office. "Two main suspects were initially apprehended by the Compliance Unit of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) during an inspection at the counter yesterday. They were subsequently handed over to the MACC. "Following their arrest, two more enforcement officers were detained on suspicion of being complicit in the 'flying passport' activity," the source said. Earlier today, MCBA confirmed the arrest of two enforcement officers on duty at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) last night in connection with the same scheme. MCBA CIQ BSI Commander Roszita Dim said the two male suspects, aged 31 and 49, were detained during a covert monitoring operation conducted by the agency's Compliance Unit starting at 3pm that day. The operation targeted officers stationed at the CIQ complex after suspicious activity was detected around 7.30pm at the vehicle zone checkpoint. Investigations revealed several questionable entries in the visitor log, using the login credentials of one officer at the counter, including records involving foreign nationals previously identified as problematic visitors. The MACC source added that during the arrest, 14 foreign passports, four mobile phones belonging to the main suspects, and approximately RM2,800 in cash were recovered. "Initial investigations suggest that the cash and mobile phones are linked to bribery transactions involving the 'flying passport' scheme. "For each passport stamped without the physical presence of the owner, the suspects allegedly received around RM200," the source said. Meanwhile, Johor MACC deputy director of operations Hairul Ilham Hamzah confirmed the arrests when contacted. He said the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009. "All suspects will be brought before the Johor Bahru Court for a remand application," he added.
Focus Malaysia
14 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Rafizi's damning warning, 'Datuk Seri' titleship invites Farhash's public scrutiny, may expedite MACC intervention
FIRST, it was former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli urging the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to open an investigation into Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak—the former political aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim—over allegations linked to a mineral exploration license in Sabah. Then later yesterday (July 25), news broke out that the high-flying corporate figure would be conferred a 'Datuk Seri' title today (July 26) in conjunction with the 84th birthday of Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib. For the record, Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz heads the list of 1,530 recipients of state awards, honours, and medals, which also include Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Penang Malay Association president Tan Sri Dr Yussoff Latiff, and national badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei. Instead of being a recognition, the award spotlight on Farhash, the ex-PKR Perak chief, will likely fuel more public scrutiny, not to mention distrust of Anwar's much-shouted anti-corruption drive. Such is the message conveyed by Rafizi in a media statement, which called on Anwar to swiftly address the growing controversy surrounding Farhash, for failure to do so could undermine public trust in the government's reform agenda. 'The information revealed so far is sufficient for the MACC to open an investigation paper on Farhash, just as it has done for other figures accused of sudden wealth accumulation,' revealed the Pandan MP. Evidence of his meteoric rise: Farhash currently holds directorships in four other public-listed companies, namely MMAG Holdings Bhd, Apex Equity Holdings Bhd, Excel Force MSC Bhd, and Key Alliance Group Bhd. In April, Farhash became a substantial shareholder in Key Alliance with his purchase of 6.8 million shares in the open market. He owns a 5.546% interest now. On May 30, convenience store chain operator 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd announced that Farhash, who was appointed chairman on Jan 3, 2023, has resigned from his post to pursue other business interests. Farhash previously served as Anwar's political secretary and was also the Perak PKR chief. Local media recently reported that Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd, the state's mineral licensing agency, had awarded Bumi Suria — a company linked to Farhash — an exploration license for coal mining. According to the report, the company was granted exclusive rights to explore and search for minerals across 70,000 hectares in the Kalabakan and Gunung Rara forest reserves near the Kalimantan border. Farhash has denied the report and is demanding a public apology. This is not the first time he has been linked to controversial business dealings. In March last year, he emerged as a substantial shareholder in HeiTech Padu Bhd shortly before the company secured a RM190 million contract from the Road Transport Department. — July 26, 2025
Malaysiakini
16 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
Ali Baba and the filthy rich thieves
COMMENT | The RM100 handout helps, but Malaysians will continue to struggle with their finances given the rising costs of goods, services and taxes. Harder still is keeping up with the corruption cases in our courts and the daily chorus of arrests and investigations by the MACC, making us wonder whether our B40 is the end product of corruption after all. But for those who persevere, they will be justly rewarded, jalabiyas and all, with a journey on a flying carpet to Old Baghdad in the time of Ali Baba circa 900 CE of the Abbasid Caliphate. It's where opulence, religiosity and scholarship co-existed in happy harmony with thievery, corruption and abuse of power until the rider became heavier than the horse, causing the Caliphate to totter under its own weight.
