Latest news with #Azam
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Op Metal probe: MACC now targets law enforcers, port staff
KUALA LUMPUR: Graft busters have their sights set on law enforcement and port authorities at the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) in Penang as they expand investigations into the scrap metal smuggling operation. 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.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
MACC warns leakages erode trust in government institutions
GEORGE TOWN: Leakages and misappropriation of public funds not only harm national financial management but also weaken public confidence in government institutions, warns the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki emphasized that public funds, crucial for national development, must be managed with full accountability. 'Misuse and weak internal controls lead to power abuse, wastage, and public burden,' he said. Among major cases highlighted were Op Water Sabah, involving a RM3.3 billion water supply project embezzlement, and a former Youth and Sports Ministry senior officer convicted of 96 charges related to forgery and money laundering. 'The MACC has seized luxury assets worth over RM3.5 billion and forfeited nearly RM28 billion in the past five years,' Azam stated. 'This shows our commitment to reclaiming stolen public funds.' He spoke at the closing of the 2025 Public Sector Finance and Auditing Seminar (SKPSA) in Teluk Bahang, themed 'Financial Integrity: Enforcing Compliance and Preventing Misappropriation in the Public Service.' Azam also noted the upcoming Government Procurement Bill, aimed at enhancing transparency in government procurement. He urged accountants and auditors to report irregularities fearlessly to uphold integrity. Additionally, he called for stronger whistleblower protections under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 and advocated for digital transformation in financial systems using AI and blockchain to detect fraud early. The seminar was organized by Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz School of Accountancy (TISSA) and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), with MACC's Financial Analysis Division. Attendees included UUM officials and nationwide participants. - Bernama
Barnama
6 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Manage Public Funds with Accountability, Leakages Erode Trust In Gov't Institutions
GEORGE TOWN, July 24 (Bernama) -- Leakages and misappropriation in the public sector not only affect the country's financial management, but also erode public trust in government institutions. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said that public funds, which are the mainstay of national development, must be managed with full accountability because misappropriation and weaknesses in internal control systems would lead to abuse of power, wastage and burdening the people. He said that among the major cases involving the misappropriation of public funds were Op Water Sabah, which involved the embezzlement of a water supply project worth RM3.3 billion, and that by a former Youth and Sports Ministry senior officer, who was convicted of 96 charges related to forgery and money laundering. "The MACC also confiscated various luxury assets worth over RM3.5 billion and forfeited almost RM28 billion in the last five years, which proves our commitment to ensuring that public funds are not misused. "To those enjoying themselves with corrupt gains, the MACC will take back this money because it is the people's money,' he said when officiating the closing of the 2025 Public Sector Finance and Auditing Seminar (SKPSA) themed Financial Integrity: Enforcing Compliance and Preventing Misappropriation in the Public Service in Teluk Bahang, near here, today. Elaborating, Azam said the proposed tabling of the Government Procurement Bill in Parliament this year is to strengthen the government's procurement system to become more transparent, systematic and based on the law. He also urged public sector accountants and auditors to report any misappropriation or irregularities without fear so as to defend public service integrity. He also hopes that protection for whistleblowers will continue to be enhanced through more effective implementation of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010. In addition, Azam stressed the need for digital transformation in the government's financial and procurement systems by leveraging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and data analytics, to trace suspicious transactions and prevent corruption at an earlier stage.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
GLC and GLIC CEOs must declare assets to MACC for accountability
PUTRAJAYA: The requirement for chief executive officers of government-linked companies and government-linked investment companies to declare their assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission marks a crucial step in boosting accountability. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stated that this measure ensures organisational leaders remain transparent about their wealth, allowing public scrutiny to prevent misuse of power. 'When all these CEOs declare their assets to the MACC, they will be more cautious in their actions because any attempt to use their position to accumulate wealth will be easily identified,' he said. Azam made these remarks after receiving 13 Property Declaration Forms from CEOs and heads of operating companies under Boustead Holdings Bhd Group. The submission was led by BHB executive vice-president Rosman Johar Abdullah, who emphasised the importance of compliance with the government's directive. Rosman added, 'This government action needs to be supported by all parties to ensure that corruption is not only eradicated but also prevented from the outset before it occurs.' The initiative aligns with broader efforts to strengthen governance and integrity within public and corporate sectors. – Bernama
Malaysian Reserve
21-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Assets declaration: Initial step to increase accountability of GLC, GLIC CEOs — Azam Baki
PUTRAJAYA — The move to require chief executive officers (CEOs) of government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs) to declare their assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is an initial step towards increasing their respective accountability. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki (picture) said the declaration sends a clear signal that organisational heads must be accountable for their assets and property, thus allowing the public to assess that every organisational head will not arbitrarily accumulate wealth through their positions. 'When all these CEOs declare their assets to the MACC, they will be more cautious in their actions because any attempt to use their position to accumulate wealth will be easily identified,' he said. Azam said this in a statement issued today after he received 13 Property Declaration Forms from the CEOs and the heads of operating companies under Boustead Holdings Bhd (BHB) Group, at his office here. The submission of the forms was presented by BHB executive vice-president (VP) and head of Integrity and Governance Department Rosman Johar Abdullah. Also present was BHB assistant VP of Integrity and Governance Department Wan Azlee Wan Mohd Ghazali. In the same statement, Rosman said the move was implemented in compliance with the government's directive for all GLC and GLIC CEOs to declare their assets to MACC as a commitment to cultivate good governance. 'This government action needs to be supported by all parties to ensure that corruption is not only eradicated but also prevented from the outset before it occurs,' he also said. — BERNAMA
