Umno supreme council member Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim confirmed today that MACC officers had ‘visited’ his houses and office yesterday, and that part of the RM500,000 they took was to finance a mission to Gaza that he had planned.

Another portion of the money taken by MACC officers – who had come to his houses in Baling and Subang, and his office in Jalan Tun Razak – was meant for the Baling Umno to be given to the constituents for Ramadhan and Aidilfitri, he said.

The mission to Gaza was planned for after the general election on May 9, he said when contacted by Bernama.

Azeez also said that besides the cash, the MACC officers also seized watches and some foreign currency.

“The MACC officers were very professional. I will extend my fullest cooperation to the MACC in carrying out its investigation,” he said.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki, when contacted, confirmed the raids and seizure of RM500,000 from the three locations.

The investigation was being conducted under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009 for receipt of gratification.

Meanwhile, Perlis MACC director Mohd Shukor Mahmud confirmed that a search was conducted at Abdul Azeez’s house in Kupang, and his community service centre at Pulai last night.

He said, however, that more details would have to be obtained from the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya which handled the case and that the Perlis MACC was asked to assist.

- Bernama