MACC cracks down on scrap metal smuggling rings in five states
The operation, conducted in collaboration with enforcement agencies, targeted businesses suspected of bribing officials to evade export taxes.
Raids were carried out at 19 locations in Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, and Kedah under 'Op Metal.'
The crackdown involved the MACC's Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the Inland Revenue Board, and Bank Negara Malaysia.
One of the first raids took place at a luxury bungalow in Batu Maung, believed to belong to a scrap metal company owner.
Authorities searched the premises for evidence while the businessman was reportedly abroad.
Another raid followed at a scrap metal processing site in Bukit Mertajam, where documents and materials linked to smuggling activities were seized.
A source revealed that the syndicates exported scrap metal to countries like India and China but falsely declared shipments to avoid the 15% export tax.
'The syndicates are believed to have bribed enforcement officers to bypass inspections,' the source said. Over six years, this scheme allegedly caused RM160 million in annual tax losses, totaling RM950 million.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the operation, stating that investigations are ongoing under anti-money laundering laws.
Authorities are also probing potential involvement of public servants in protecting the syndicates. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
23 minutes ago
- The Sun
Court of Appeal upholds forfeiture of ex-Terengganu assemblyman's wife's car
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has upheld the forfeiture of a Proton X70 worth RM115,000 belonging to Aida Tengah, wife of former Terengganu assemblyman Datuk Tengku Hassan Tengku Omar. A three-judge panel unanimously dismissed her appeal, ruling that the prosecution had proven the car was linked to corruption offences. The panel, comprising Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah, and Datuk Ahmad Fairuz Zainal Abidin, agreed with earlier court decisions that the forfeiture was justified under Section 41(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. Justice Ahmad Fairuz stated that the case was an 'in-rem' proceeding, meaning the lawsuit targeted the asset rather than the individual. The court found that the car was purchased using funds misappropriated by Abdul Ahad Khan, a board member of Hygenia Sdn Bhd, who was entrusted with RM3.8 million in investment funds. The RM115,000 used to buy the vehicle was part of the misused money. Additionally, the court ruled that Aida's husband, as a public servant, had received the car as a gift without proper justification under Section 165 of the Penal Code. The Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court initially ordered the forfeiture on May 8, 2023, a decision later upheld by the High Court on March 14 last year. Today's ruling solidifies the forfeiture, marking the end of Aida's legal challenge. Deputy public prosecutors Farah Yasmin Salleh and Muhammad Asraf Mohamad Tahir represented the prosecution, while lawyer Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud acted for Aida. – Bernama
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Appeals Court upholds decision allowing forfeiture of former Terengganu rep's wife's car
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has upheld the High Court's decision allowing the prosecution's application to forfeit a car worth RM115,000 belonging to Aida Tengah, the wife of a former Terengganu assemblyman. A three-judge panel comprising Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Ahmad Fairuz Zainal Abidin unanimously dismissed the appeal by Aida, 50, after finding that the public prosecutor, as the respondent, had fulfilled the burden of proof under Section 41(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. Aida is the wife of former Ladang assemblyman Datuk Tengku Hassan Tengku Omar, who was then the Terengganu trade, industry, regional development and wellbeing committee chairman and also the Terengganu Foundation Investment Committee chairman. Judge Ahmad Fairuz, when reading out the decision on Tuesday (July 15), said the court agreed with the decision of the lower courts (Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court and Kuala Terengganu High Court) that the forfeiture proceeding under Section 41(1) of the MACC was 'in-rem' in nature (a lawsuit against a thing, rather than against a person). He said the prosecution had also succeeded in proving on a prima facie basis that the car was a matter relating to the offence of criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Penal Code and the offence of receiving movable property under Section 165 of the same Code. In relation to the criminal breach of trust (CBT) offence, Judge Ahmad Fairuz said it was evident that Abdul Ahad Khan, a member of Hygenia Sdn Bhd board of directors who was entrusted with RM3.8mil in investment funds, had misappropriated the funds for personal interest and used RM115,000 to purchase the car that was registered under Aida's name. As for the offence under Section 165, he said the civil servant receiving the car was clearly the appellant's husband. "The receipt of the car by the appellant through her husband was a valuable gift without adequate consideration, received by a civil servant from a person concerned with his official business. "Therefore, we dismiss this appeal and uphold the forfeiture order made by the Sessions Court (Kuala Terengganu) which was upheld by the (Kuala Terengganu) High Court," said Judge Ahmad Fairuz. On May 8, 2023, the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court allowed the prosecution's application to forfeit the car after finding that it was the proceeds of and related to an offence under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust by a public servant or agent and Section 165 of the Penal Code for a public servant obtaining valuable thing without consideration from person concerned in his official duties. The decision was upheld by the Kuala Terengganu High Court on March 14, 2024. – Bernama
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
Court Of Appeal Upholds Decision Allowing Forfeiture Of Car Belonging To Wife Of Former Terengganu Assemblyman
PUTRAJAYA, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Court of Appeal today upheld the High Court's decision allowing the prosecution's application to forfeit a Proton X70 car worth RM115,000 belonging to the wife of a former Terengganu assemblyman, Aida Tengah. A three-judge panel comprising Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Ahmad Fairuz Zainal Abidin unanimously dismissed the appeal by Aida, 50, after finding that the public prosecutor, as the responden,t had fulfilled the burden of proof under Section 41(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. Aida is the wife of former Ladang Assemblyman Datuk Tengku Hassan Tengku Omar, who was then the State Trade, Industry, Regional Development and Wellbeing Committee chairman and also the Terengganu Foundation Investment Committee chairman. Judge Ahmad Fairuz, when reading out the decision today, said the court agreed with the decision of the lower courts (Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court and Kuala Terengganu High Court) that the forfeiture proceeding under Section 41(1) of the MACC was 'in-rem' in nature (a lawsuit against a thing, rather than against a person. He said the prosecution had also succeeded in proving on a prima facie basis that the car was a matter relating to the offence of criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Penal Code and the offence of receiving movable property under Section 165 of the same code In relation to the criminal breach of trust (CBT) offence, Judge Ahmad Fairuz said it was evident that Abdul Ahad Khan , a member of Hygenia Sdn Bhd Board of Directors who was entrusted with RM3.8 million in investment funds, had misappropriated the funds for personal interest and used RM115,000 to purchase the car car that was registered under Aida's name. As for the offence under Section 165, he said the civil servant receiving the was clearly the appellant's (Aida) husband. "The receipt of the car by the appellant through her husband was a valuable gift without adequate consideration, received by a civil servant from a person concerned with his official business. "Therefore, we dismiss this appeal and uphold the forfeiture order made by the Sessions Court (Kuala Terengganu) which was upheld by the (Kuala Terengganu) High Court," said Judge Ahmad Fairuz.
