MACC uncovers RM20m sukuk misuse for gambling in Klang Valley project
Luxury items and assets worth over RM85.6m seized during high-profile probe.
Key points:
– Over RM20m (US$4.3m) believed to be spent on gambling
– Assets and accounts totalling RM85.6m frozen or seized
– Ongoing investigation involves 45 witness statements
As reported by New Straits Times, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has found that at least RM20m from sukuk funds allocated for a Klang Valley highway project were misappropriated and channelled into gambling activities.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stated that the discovery came following deeper investigations into the case. A storage facility containing 300 bottles of luxury alcoholic beverages was also uncovered, suggesting possible links to money laundering. Authorities are currently tracing assets in Malaysia and abroad that will be frozen or seized.
To date, 45 individuals have had their statements recorded. The Tan Sri under investigation remains hospitalised. Earlier, MACC froze and seized assets worth RM85.6m, including 14 personal accounts with RM4.5m, company accounts totalling RM33m, luxury vehicles worth RM7.65m, handbags valued at RM3m, watches worth RM7m and properties estimated at RM24.5m.
Good to know: Investigators suspect that a company owned by the Tan Sri had diverted hundreds of millions of ringgit in sukuk funds, which were meant for highway construction
Separately, four individuals including a Datuk Seri were arrested last month for allegedly submitting false claims amounting to RM360m in relation to the same project, which is valued at about RM1.3bn.
The suspects, aged between their 50s and 70s, were detained while giving statements at the MACC office.
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