Kuala Lumpur: Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Madius Tangau asked the Federal Government to explain the current status of RM114 million seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in connection with the 2016 corruption and abuse of power case involving the former Sabah Water Department director.
Speaking during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Madius asked what steps the Government would take to return the money to the Sabah Government, noting that the funds were originally allocated for projects to upgrade the state’s water supply facilities.
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Responding, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said all cash and assets seized in 2016 remain under the safe custody of the MACC.
She said under the enforcement agency’s standard operating procedures, seized assets remain in the custody of the investigating agency until all court proceedings have been concluded.
“The assets can only be forfeited and transferred to the Malaysian Treasury after the court issues a forfeiture order,” she said.
Azalina also revealed that prosecutors had previously applied to the Sessions Court for all the seized cash and assets to be forfeited to the Malaysian Government.
However, the Sessions Court ordered the forfeiture application to be put on hold pending the outcome of appeals in the higher courts. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said it would be returned to Sabah.
She said the prosecution has since filed an appeal to the High Court against the Sessions Court’s decision, adding that the matter remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
