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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED]: MACC questions 27 witnesses in scrap metal, e-waste smuggling probe
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.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
MACC freezes RM150m accounts in scrap metal smuggling crackdown
GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen 324 bank accounts worth nearly RM150 million and seized assets valued at RM183 million in a major crackdown on scrap metal and e-waste smuggling syndicates. The operation, spanning five states, uncovered an estimated RM950 million in tax revenue losses due to bribery of enforcement officers. A source confirmed that 27 witnesses, including a businessman with a 'Datuk' title, have given statements. No arrests have been made yet. 'The total value of seized assets and frozen accounts now exceeds RM332 million,' the source said. MACC Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin stated that financial investigations are ongoing with agencies like the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Customs Department, and Bank Negara Malaysia. 'Probes cover offences under the MACC Act, money laundering, and tax evasion laws,' he added. The operation, dubbed Op Metal, involved raids in Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, and Johor. Authorities confiscated luxury vehicles, branded watches, and properties, including oil palm plantations in Kelantan. A foreign businessman linked to the syndicate, who holds a 'Datuk' title, was abroad during the raids but later returned to assist investigations. – Bernama
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
MACC seizes RM332m in assets from scrap metal and e-waste smuggling syndicate
PETALING JAYA, July 21 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen and confiscated assets valued at over RM332 million in an ongoing probe into a scrap metal and e-waste smuggling syndicate. As reported by The Star, the syndicate is accused of bribing enforcement officers, causing a loss of more than RM950 million in export tax revenue over the last six years. 'MACC has frozen 324 bank accounts, comprising 142 corporate accounts and 182 individual accounts, totalling nearly RM150mil. Assets seized so far amount to about RM183mil,' an MACC source told The Star. The source also revealed that 27 witnesses have been questioned, including a key suspect, whose statement was recorded today. No arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing. According to the daily, Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, senior director of the MACC's Special Operations Division, confirmed that the commission is actively working to identify those involved in the smuggling syndicate. The investigation is being conducted under Sections 16 and 18 of the MACC Act 2009, which cover bribery and false claims, as well as possible violations of anti-money laundering laws. Additionally, agencies like the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Customs Department, and Bank Negara are investigating related offences under the Income Tax Act 1967 and the Customs Act 1967. On July 14, Bernama reported that the first raid was conducted at a three-storey luxury bungalow in Batu Maung, Penang at around 6am Monday. The bungalow is believed to belong to a businessman who owns a scrap metal company. Officers conducted a search after a domestic helper opened the door to the residence, though the company owner, reportedly a foreign national, was away on business.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Barnama
Op Metal: MACC Records 27 Statements, Freezes Bank Accounts Worth RM150 Mln
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has recorded the statements of 27 witnesses following operations against scrap metal and e-waste smuggling syndicates operating in five states, which are believed to have paid bribes to enforcement officers, resulting in an estimated tax revenue loss of over RM950 million to the government. According to sources, those who had their statements recorded included the male suspect believed to hold a 'Datuk' title, who is also a businessman, and believed to be involved in the activities. His statement was recorded today, and no arrests have been made so far. "As of today, the MACC has frozen a total of 324 bank accounts, namely 142 belonging to companies and 182 to individuals, involving almost RM150 million in value, with seizures worth approximately RM183 million. 'In total, the value of seized assets and frozen accounts now exceeds RM332 million,' the sources said. Meanwhile, MACC Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, when contacted, confirmed this and said that it is still identifying the suspects involved with the syndicate. Mohamad Zamri said the MACC is now reviewing the financial sources of the suspects and the companies under investigation, in cooperation with agencies such as the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). "In addition to investigations under Sections 16 and 18 of the MACC Act 2009 and money laundering offences by the MACC, investigations are also being carried out under the Income Tax Act 1967 and the Customs Act 1967 by the relevant agencies involved in this operation,' he said. On July 14, Bernama reported that the MACC launched a major crackdown on scrap metal smuggling syndicates operating across five states, believed to have bribed enforcement officers to evade taxes, resulting in over RM950 million in revenue losses for the government. It involved seven raids in Selangor, six in Penang, four in Kedah and one each in Negeri Sembilan and Johor, involving residences, offices, and scrap metal storage and processing centres believed to be involved in the smuggling operation.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
MACC seizes over RM332mil in assets in major scrap metal smuggling probe
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen and seized assets worth over RM332 million as part of an extensive investigation into a scrap metal and e-waste smuggling syndicate, which allegedly bribed enforcement officers, leading to a loss of over RM950 million in export tax revenue over the past six years. An MACC source reported that 27 witnesses have been questioned so far, including a primary suspect whose statement was recorded on Monday (July 21). No arrests have been made at this stage. "MACC has frozen 324 bank accounts, comprising 142 corporate accounts and 182 individual accounts, totalling nearly RM150mil. Assets seized so far amount to about RM183mil," the source said, adding that investigations are ongoing. Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, senior director of MACC's Special Operations Division, confirmed these developments and stated that MACC is actively identifying those involved in the syndicate and scrutinising financial links between suspects and the implicated companies. The investigation is being conducted under Sections 16 and 18 of the MACC Act 2009 for bribery and false claims, as well as potential offences under anti-money laundering laws. Collaborating agencies, including the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Customs Department, and Bank Negara, are pursuing related offences under the Income Tax Act 1967 and Customs Act 1967. On July 14, MACC launched a large-scale crackdown, targeting 19 locations in Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor, and Kedah. The operation focused on a prominent scrap metal company owner with a 'Datuk' title. However, the suspect, believed to be a foreign national, was not at his Batu Maung home, having reportedly left the country two days prior. The team then moved to a scrap metal storage and processing facility on Jalan Bukit Minyak, mainland Penang, believed to belong to the suspect. For over six years, the syndicate exported scrap metal and e-waste to several countries, evading nearly RM1bil in export duties by falsely declaring cargo as machinery and other non-taxable metal goods to bypass the government's 15% export duty. Destinations included China, India, and others. The syndicate allegedly bribed Customs Department officers, establishing a corrupt network that operated undetected for years. MACC continued its crackdown with asset seizures of over RM183mil on July 15. The coordinated sweep at 13 locations across Penang, Kedah, Johor, and the Klang Valley was conducted with the Customs Department, Inland Revenue Board, and Bank Negara Malaysia as part of Ops Metal.
