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MACC tracking new leads in Scorpene probe, report claims
The report by The Star yesterday, which quoted sources with knowledge of the investigation, stated that the body is probing a local company believed to have paid RM42 million without the knowledge of its board of directors.
The report stated that the allegedly misappropriated sum was part of a RM530 million contract for support services concerning the purchase of the submarine...
The MACC has reportedly obtained new leads in its investigation regarding Malaysia’s purchase of Scorpene-class submarines from France, according to a report.
The report by The Star yesterday, which quoted sources with knowledge of the investigation, stated that the body is probing a local company believed to have paid RM42 million without the knowledge of its board of directors.
The report stated that the allegedly misappropriated sum was part of a RM530 million contract for support services concerning the purchase of the submarine.
“The payment is believed to be paid to companies belonging to family members of the owner of said company (which made the payouts).
“In view of this latest development, the MACC will be calling several witnesses. In fact, we have already identified several of them and have recorded their statements,” the report quoted the source saying.
READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Dredging up the DCNS Scorpene scandal
The purchase of the two submarines was overseen by Najib Abdul Razak in 2002, who was the defence minister at the time.
The two submarines, dubbed KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Razak, arrived in Malaysia in September 2009 and July 2010 respectively.
However, the acquisition of the submarines was plagued by controversy in Malaysia and France.
In April 2022, a French judge charged the French defence firm Thales for complicity in bribery in selling the submarines to Malaysia. Thales said at the time that it “strongly contests” the charges.
More recently, in April this year, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the commission is still actively investigating the case.
“MACC is still in contact with related parties abroad to obtain information and evidence regarding some of the transactions carried out.
“Alhamdulillah, there are positive signs from foreign parties who provided the documents and evidence that we requested,” Bernama quoted him as saying.
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