Latest news with #RM5.5mil
The Star
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Funds converted to crypto
Cracking down on corruption: Azam (fourth from left) giving a press conference at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN PUTRAJAYA: Sukuk funds at the centre of an embezzlement probe involving a 'Tan Sri' were partly converted into digital currency, says Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. He said investigations revealed the amount came up to about RM11mil. 'We detected these transfers from the sukuk funds into digital currency, amounting to roughly RM11mil. 'The money is also believed to have been used to cover expenses,' he told a press conference yesterday. When asked for details about the sukuk funds being used for gambling, Azam said he could not provide further details. 'It could have been used in casinos but I can't go into details because I myself don't play so I wouldn't know,' he said in jest. He said investigations should be completed within two months, with an outcome possibly even before that. Previously, it was reported that the MACC seized various assets including handbags, jewellery, luxury vehicles, watches, cash and a luxury residence, estimated at about RM32mil, believed to belong to a highway concessionaire with the title Tan Sri. Investigations also led to the seizure of premium alcoholic beverages valued at RM3mil, and that around RM20mil in sukuk funds were used for gambling. On another matter, Azam said they are investigating the possibility that parts of government-injected funds into Sapura Energy were misappropriated by a high-ranking official. He noted that they are examining assets owned by the official involved, including two homes valued at RM5.5mil. 'Investigations are ongoing into whether some RM12mil was misappropriated. We will focus on 2018, as during that time, Permodalan Nasional Berhad made an injection (of funds) into Sapura Energy,' he said. In a related case involving the same company, Azam said that investigations into alleged bribes of US$3.3mil received from a foreign-based company could take time due to foreign legal jurisdictions. Azam also said a non-governmental organisation in Melaka is under investigation for allegedly misusing RM26mil in public donations. Its group chairman, secretary, treasurer and finance manager have since been arrested. Azam said the money was contributed by the public for humanitarian relief efforts. 'The main suspect is the chairman, who has just been released from remand. Investigations are ongoing,' he said, adding that most of the funds were reportedly spent on personal expenditures and purchasing assets like land and buildings.
The Star
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
MACC probes potential misappropriation of govt funds at oil and gas firm
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating the possibility that parts of the sum injected by the government into Sapura Energy were misappropriated by a high-ranking official, according to Tan Sri Azam Baki. The MACC chief commissioner stated that statements have been recorded from 15 witnesses, with no arrests made so far. He noted that they are also examining assets owned by the official involved, including two homes valued at RM5.5mil. "Investigations are ongoing into whether some RM12mil was misappropriated under Section 23 of the MACC Act," Azam said at a press conference at the MACC headquarters on Wednesday (June 25). "Investigations will focus on 2018, as during that time, Permodalan Nasional Berhad made an injection into Sapura Energy. "This means that if there is misuse of funds, it will fall under either the MACC Act or other offences under the Penal Code," he explained. On a related case involving the same company, Azam mentioned that investigations into alleged bribes worth US$3.3mil received from a foreign-based company will take time due to foreign legal jurisdictions. "We need to make various applications, including mutual legal assistance from the relevant countries. "It will take some time as it involves foreign legal jurisdictions and we need more information from them. "Once we get this, we will continue investigations locally," he added.
The Star
12-05-2025
- The Star
RM5.5mil worth of plants and vehicle seized
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) has seized various ornamental plants believed to have been smuggled from Thailand in Kampung Lalang Pepuyu, Tanah Merah. GOF South-East Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said its 9th Battalion confiscated the items from a lorry at 4.15pm last Friday during Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan. 'Inspection of the lorry uncovered a landscape plant of the Eugenia species, 1,500 climbing plants and 2,000 bucida plants. The seized items, including the vehicle, are worth about RM5.5mil,' he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported. Nik Ros Azhan said the 26-year-old lorry driver was also detained after the man failed to produce any documents related to the plants. He said the case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976. 'The suspect and seized items were handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action,' he added. In a separate case, the GOF's 8th Battalion, in collaboration with the Kota Baru Municipal Council, foiled the sale of unlicensed electronic cigarettes at a premise on Jalan Raja Perempuan Zainab at 5.15pm on Saturday. 'A 36-year-old man was found on the premise and checks uncovered 4,064 units of vape liquids and devices without valid documentation. The seizure is valued at about RM284,000,' Nik Ros Azhan said.
The Star
11-05-2025
- The Star
GOF seizes over RM5mil worth of smuggled plants in Kelantan
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) has seized a large quantity of ornamental plants believed to have been smuggled from Thailand in Kampung Lalang Pepuyu, Tanah Merah. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said its 9th battalion confiscated the items from a lorry which was stopped during the Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan at 4.15pm last Friday. "Inspection of the lorry uncovered a landscape plant of the Eugiena species, 1,500 climbing plants and 2,000 Busida plants. The seized items, including the vehicle, are worth about RM5.5mil,' he said in a statement on Sunday (May 11). He said the 26-year-old male lorry driver was also detained after failing to produce any documents related to the plants, and the case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976. "The suspect and seized items were handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action,' he added. In a separate case, the GOF Battalion 8, in collaboration with the Kota Baru Municipal Council, foiled the sale of unlicensed electronic cigarettes at a premises on Jalan Raja Perempuan Zainab at 5.15 pm Saturday (May 10). "A 36-year-old man was found on the premises, and checks uncovered 4,064 units of vape liquids and devices without valid documentation, with the seizure valued at an estimated RM284,000,' he said. - Bernama
