KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission ( MACC ) has raided two safe houses, including an office, and seized RM321, 000 ( US$ 74, 500 ) in both foreign and local currencies as part of its investigation into a case involving Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated ( MBI )- a body established to administer assets and investments of the state government.  ,
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said on Monday ( Oct 15 ) that RM78, 000 was found in the office and the remaining RM243, 000 was found at the other safe house.
At the 2024 Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption (KITA ) Convention in Kota Kinabalu, Mr. Azam told the media that” we also received information that a certain amount of money was used for investments in Singapore,” but he could not reveal the full amount or its owner.  ,
The case also involves a popular legislator, local media reported.  ,
In a attack at a property system in Kuala Lumpur, which was also linked to the well-known politician involved in the fraud investigation, on October 13 the MACC reportedly discovered RM5 million in foreign currency.
According to local media reports, one of the defendants who were detained claimed that one of the defendants who was detained discovered that the property system was used as a safe house to save the proceeds of fraud as well as the money used to support his political activities.
According to Free Malaysia Today, it was believed that the popular politician had given businessman the instructions to save the money, which was given by an unnamed person at the house.  ,
A past MBI top executive was originally named as one of the two people detained by MACC as part of an investigation into a gravel mining concession given by a subsidiary of the state investment body.
According to local media reports, the two detained, the second of whom was a merchant, had ties to a well-known opposition leader who had political effect in Selangor.
When questioned if the anti-graft crushers had summoned the lawmaker involved in the investigation, Mr. Azam stated on October 14 that it will only be done when there is adequate information.  ,
” I will undoubtedly not decline or claim that he will be called in,” but only after my staff or the investigating official is satisfied with some additional studies, including related papers and money. As of now, around 15 testimony have already been called and I expect many more will be summoned for the research”, he said.  ,
When questioned about the person’s current position in the government and whether there are any additional lawmakers involved, Mr. Azam declined to answer.
” We anticipate that more will be discovered at the other” healthy properties.” We are also conducting examinations. Different” safe houses” could have been used to store the money, Mr. Azam was quoted by Harian Metro as saying.  ,
He added that the other two offenders who were detained have already been freed. One of them is a 43-year-old male drivers, and the other is a 46-year-old past financial agent for a company that secured the sand mining agreement a few years ago, according to Free Malaysia Now.  ,
Malaysia, under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, has conducted several high-profile attacks involving important political and business numbers.  ,
In December 2023, MACC authorities seized the multi-million-dollar Ilham Tower owned by the home of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin.  ,
Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad’s close ally was eventually charged in late January of this year for breaking the country’s anti-corruption regulations by failing to give a notice to declare his assets.