No less than 40 may be charged: MACC
Published on: Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) could be looking at laying down a record number of cases involving a single case, as it tracks down all those involved in the Sabah Water Department scandal.These individuals, whether they had knowingly participated in the siphoning of millions of what has been established as the country's biggest corruption case or had not acted within their purview to stop it from happening, could be in the making of this history.MACC is looking at legal provisions to level charges against no fewer than 40 people for their roles in the scandal.
ADVERTISEMENT
Its deputy chief commissioner (operations), Datuk Azam Baki, told the New Straits Times that these people could face charges for conspiring and abetting.The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, under Section 25 (1) also criminalises those who fail to report on acts or attempted acts of corruption. They could be jailed for up to two years. "This will depend on the evidence. But individuals, including family members and proxies, can be charged for abetting."Investigations are being carried out under Section 18, Section 17 (a) and Section 23 of the MACC Act, Section 4 (1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, Section 132 of the Company act and Section 165 of the Penal code.
ADVERTISEMENT
MACC ripped open the Sabah Water Department's can of worms last week with the arrest of four men, including its director and deputy director.About RM115 million in cash and from banks was recovered from them, along with 19.3kg of jewellery worth RM3.64 million, designer items worth RM500,000, luxury vehicles and 127land titles,now being evaluated.
ADVERTISEMENT
The arrests led MACC to 38 companies belonging to the duo's family members and proxies, which had links to RM3.3 billion worth of projects dished out since 2010. MACC also froze RM23 million in bank accounts belonging to the officers and their family members.The infrastructure programme was funded by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and the State Water Department was the implementing agency.It is a part of the Government Transformation Programme, National Key Results Areas (NKRA), which focuses on improving basic infrastructure, such as clean water supply, electricity and roads in rural areas.The director was linked to 17 companies owned by his siblings and proxies, while the deputy was linked to 21 companies owned by his family members. Azam said the commission was also looking at establishing the means used by the suspects in allegedly manipulating contracts awarded to contractors. "The procurement process does not allow room for procurement officers to pocket funds before money from the Federal Government was credited into the department's account. "We are trying to establish if the siphoning of funds was done through their friendly contractors or proxy contractors they were in cahoots with."A MACC team of 70 officers began investigating the case, code-named Op Water, from last year. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
