Armed MACC officers enter home of 'Tan Sri' amid sukuk probe

Summary

• Armed MACC enforcement officers have reportedly entered the home of a “Tan Sri” who is a suspect in the investigation into alleged misappropriation of sukuk funds meant for a highway project.

• MACC personnel also continue to question the man, who was interrogated for over six hours yesterday.

The MACC’s armed tactical squad entered the home of a “Tan Sri” who is a suspect in the probe into the alleged misappropriation of sukuk funds meant for a Klang Valley highway project.

The Star reported that four vehicles from the Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (ACTS) were seen entering the property in Bandar Tasik Selatan at 10.50am, including two white vans, a Nissan Grand Livina, and a Honda City.

The report said that the ACTS officers were seen equipped with firearms.

The report said that MACC officers continued their questioning of the man over the case today, after interrogating him for over six hours yesterday from 9am till 3.07pm.

Bernama yesterday quoted unnamed sources saying that two MACC investigating officers had conducted the interview at the man’s residence in Kuala Lumpur, and that the MACC had also raided his residence in Malacca, though no seizures or confiscations were made.

Probe to wrap up in two months

The Star also reported MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki saying that the investigation is expected to be completed in two months.

“We need to analyse several pertinent documents, including financial statements. So far, we have already recorded the statements of 53 witnesses to assist with the investigation,” he was quoted as saying at a press conference after attending the second MACC Law Enforcement Accredited Programme Convocation.

Forty-five individuals who had earlier provided statements were also reportedly recalled for further questioning.

Azam also said that more witnesses will be called to assist with the investigation.

RM20m misused for gambling

On June 2, the MACC revealed that at least RM20 million from sukuk funds earmarked for a Klang Valley highway project had been misused for gambling.

Azam said that the transactions were uncovered during further investigations into the case.

“I have been briefed by my investigation officers that more than RM20 million may have been spent on gambling activities.

“We also found 300 bottles of luxury alcoholic beverages in a storage facility,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

The alcohol was worth about RM3 million and is believed to be linked to money laundering activities.

A sukuk fund operates by collecting capital from multiple investors to acquire syariah-compliant securities known as sukuk, which adhere to Islamic financial principles through asset-backed structures instead of conventional debt instruments.

Azam said that the anti-graft agency is still tracing assets within the country and abroad, which will be frozen or seized to facilitate further investigations.

The New Straits Times also reported that the MACC had seized assets and frozen bank accounts totalling RM85.6 million in its investigation.

Among the seized items were 14 personal accounts containing RM4.5 million, eight company accounts containing RM33 million, and RM7.65 million in luxury vehicles.

Other items included handbags worth RM3 million, luxury watches worth RM7 million, and properties valued at RM24.5 million.

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