Latest news with #OpMetal
Barnama
17 hours ago
- Barnama
'Op Metal': MACC Raids Two E-waste Recycling Plants In Penang
BUTTERWORTH, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today raided two electronic waste (e-waste) recycling factories suspected of bribing enforcement officers, leading to significant tax revenue losses. The coordinated raids, conducted at 9 am under Op Metal, targeted one factory on Jalan Perusahaan Perai 3 in the Perai Industrial Area and another in Bukit Minyak, Bukit Mertajam. The action follows the recent exposure of a scrap metal smuggling syndicate, in which scrap metal was falsely declared as machinery and other items not subject to the government's 15 percent export tax. Now in its second day, Op Metal is being led by MACC's Special Operations Division in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and Bank Negara Malaysia under a multi-agency task force. MACC's Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad secured both premises, documented 25 local and foreign workers, and detained a man in his 50s, believed to be the chief operating officer, for further questioning and document retrieval. Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that 13 additional locations across Penang, Kedah, Johor and the Klang Valley were raided today. 'MACC is now identifying those colluding with the syndicate that smuggled scrap metal and e-waste through Port Klang and Penang Port, causing an estimated tax loss of over RM950 million over the past six years,' he said. Earlier, Bernama reported that the MACC had 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. -- BERNAMA
The Sun
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
MACC seizes RM183m in assets, freezes RM51m accounts in Op Metal
GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized assets worth over RM183 million and frozen bank accounts totaling RM51 million in a crackdown on scrap metal smuggling syndicates. The operation, codenamed Op Metal, targeted networks across five states, uncovering illicit activities linked to tax evasion and corruption. Authorities confiscated eight high-value properties in Penang, including bungalows in Batu Maung, a penthouse in Tanjung Tokong, and commercial land in Bayan Lepas. Over 1,960 acres of oil palm plantation land in Kuala Krai, Kelantan, were also seized. Among the luxury items recovered were six high-end vehicles—a Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover, BMW, Volvo, Toyota Land Cruiser, and Toyota Alphard—valued at RM1.9 million. Five luxury watches, including a Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Omega models, worth RM740,000 were also confiscated. A source revealed that most assets belonged to a foreign businessman with a 'Datuk' title, who operates a scrap metal firm and resides in Batu Maung. The suspect was abroad during the raids but is expected to return soon. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the seizures and stated that 45 company and 82 personal bank accounts were frozen. Further raids were conducted at 13 locations in Penang, Kedah, Johor, and the Klang Valley. Investigations focus on violations under the MACC Act 2009, money laundering, and tax offences. The syndicates allegedly smuggled scrap metal and e-waste through Port Klang and Penang Port, costing Malaysia RM950 million in lost tax revenue over six years. The operation involved collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Inland Revenue Board, and Bank Negara Malaysia. – Bernama
Barnama
20 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Op Metal: MACC Seizes Over RM183 Million In Assets, Freezes Bank Accounts Worth Over RM51 Million
CRIME & COURTS GEORGE TOWN, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized various assets estimated to be worth over RM183 million following raids on scrap metal smuggling syndicates in five states since yesterday. According to sources, the operation, carried out by the MACC's Special Operations Division in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) under the Multi-Agency Task Force (MATF) via Op Metal, also froze 45 company accounts and 82 personal bank accounts involving a total value of about RM51 million. The seized assets include eight properties in Penang, namely three bungalows in Batu Maung, a penthouse in Tanjung Tokong, a shop lot in Bayan Lepas, 31 acres of land in Nibong Tebal, 7.1 acres in Batu Uban, and 5.6 acres in Juru, as well as more than 1,960 acres of oil palm plantation land in Kuala Krai, Kelantan. 'MACC also seized six luxury vehicles comprising a Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover, BMW, Volvo, Toyota Land Cruiser, and Toyota Alphard—altogether valued at over RM1.9 million. 'During the raid, MACC also confiscated five branded watches, namely a Patek Philippe, Tag Heuer, Rolex, Omega Speedmaster, and Omega Seamaster, valued at more than RM740,000,' the source said in a statement today. It is understood that most of the seized assets, luxury vehicles, and branded watches belonged to a foreign man who owns a scrap metal company and resides in an upscale neighbourhood in Batu Maung, which was raided during Op Metal yesterday. During the raid, the individual, who holds a 'Datuk' title, was not at home and is believed to be abroad on business. He is expected to return tomorrow. Meanwhile, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, when contacted, confirmed the freezing of the bank accounts as well as the seizure of the properties, luxury vehicles, and branded watches. Following Monday's operation, he said the MACC also conducted further raids today at 13 new locations in Penang, Kedah, Johor, and the Klang Valley.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
MACC cracks down on scrap metal smuggling rings in five states
GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has dismantled multiple scrap metal smuggling syndicates across five states, uncovering a massive tax evasion scheme estimated at over RM950 million. 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
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Busted: Scrap iron smuggling syndicate which caused RM950mil in losses
GEORGE TOWN: A syndicate operating in five states has been smuggling scrap iron out of the country, causing the government to lose some RM950 million in export duties over the past six years. The syndicate would send shipments of the scrap iron out by declaring them to be machinery or other, less valuable metals, circumnavigating the system to avoid paying the 15 per cent export duty to the government. The syndicate was also believed to have paid bribes to enforcement officers to turn a blind eye to their activities. Their activities, however, were crippled when the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission carried out simultaneous raids at premises in all five states beginning at 6pm yesterday. The raids, codenamed Op Metal, were carried out by MACC's Special Operations Division through a Multi Agency Task Force (MATF) with the Customs Department, Internal Revenue Board and Bank Negara Malaysia at 19 locations in Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor and Kedah melalui operasi Op Metal. A Harian Metro journalist followed the raids at several residences and business premises owned by the syndicate in Penang. The officers involved in the raid were protected by armed members of the MACC's Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS). At one particular three-storey residence equipped with its own lift and owned by a syndicate member, several luxury cars with special registration numbers could be seen parked in the compound. The individual, who is also the owner of a company and holds a "Datuk" title, is alleged to have exported scrap iron overseas without paying export duties by bribing enforcement officers. The syndicate gets high prices for the metal in several countries as there is a large demand for them. Meanwhile, a raid at a factory in Jalan Bukit Minyak, Bukit Mertajam, at 9pm, saw several workers, most of them foreigners, surprised by the MATF members, operating under the watchful eyes of ACTS personnel. Checks in the factory compound turned up piles of scrap iron, some of which had already been processed into cubes. According to sources, the raids involved scrap iron processing and storage centres, offices and residences of people believed to be part of the syndicate. "Initial investigations have found that the syndicate would smuggle crap iron to India, China and several other countries by declaring them to be machinery or machine parts, or other metals which are not subject to export duties of 15 per cent. "In order to ensure that these consignments are cleared without the export duties having to be paid, the syndicate is believed to have given bribes to some enforcement officers," said a source. He said the collusion of these crooked enforcement officers has caused the government to lose roughly RM160 million a year in export duties. With the syndicate having begun such operations six year ago, said the source, the estimated losses were placed at RM950 million. The source said investigations were still ongoing, with MACC expected to announce the amount of seizures and arrests made by today. Meanwhile, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, when contacted, confirmed the raids in the five states. He said the case was being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA). He added that the investigation will also focus on identifying those involved, including civil servants who protected these activities.
