No time frame for probe of MACC officers

No time frame has been fixed for the internal probe against three Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers named in the Royal Commission of Inquiry report into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock.

MACC director of investigations Datuk Mustafar Ali said that commission did not want to rush its internal probe into the RCI's findings.


MACC officers show how the room would be used during a media briefing Tuesday

“No time frame has been fixed for the completion of the internal investigation,” he told reporters after a briefing on MACC's video interviewing room on Tuesday.

On the nature of the probe, he said that it would focus on administrative and procedural issues with criminal investigations left to the police to conduct.

He said the findings of the internal probe would be forwarded to the commission's complaints bureau that would recommend action against the three officers concerned.

In a related development, Mustafar showed the commission's latest video interviewing room (VIR) that would be used to record statements from suspects or accused persons.

The specially-designed rooms come equipped with state-of-the art video and audio recording equipment aims at curbing allegations of abuse or threats made against such persons during interviews.

At present there are two operational VIR rooms at their Putrajaya office, four in Perak and two at its training academy.

A total of 36 VIR rooms would be operational by the year's end.

Copies of the recording will be made available to the court and accused or suspect if they request for it while a copy will be held by the MACC.

Source : The Star

MACC unveils hi-tech video room

The first step towards rebuilding the image and integrity of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Com-mission (MACC) has begun with the unveiling of its hi-tech video interviewing room (VRI).

Thirty-six such rooms, each costing between RM140,000 and RM160,000, are to be built in MACC offices nationwide.

Two are already operational at its Putrajaya headquarters, four in Perak and two at its training academy while the rest are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The commission also reaffirmed its commitment to implement recommendations by the Royal Com-mission of Inquiry (RCI) into Teoh Beng Hock's death and bring to book officers who breached its standard operating procedures when investigating cases.

“It is a lesson learned and this lesson has given a way forward for us to better our work and service,” said MACC director of investigations Da-tuk Mustafar Ali after briefing the media on the VRI yesterday.

The specially designed rooms will be equipped with state-of-the art video and audio recording equipment to dispel allegations of abuse, threats or intimidation during interviews of suspects. He also said the recordings would be used during proceedings to prove inconsistencies in a witness' statement or perjury.

In Kuala Lumpur, MACC chief Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed said the commission is discussing with the Government to enable its retired and former officers to work at government-linked companies (GLC), department or company.

“We hope to obtain a status like that given to auxiliary police, whereby MACC officers who have resigned or retired could work at GLCs or other companies. This is important especially in carrying out internal investigations during which the ability to call on those involved, who are not officers from the organisation, proved to be an obstacle,” he said at the Tenaga Nasional Berhad corporate integrity pledge launching here.

Source : The Star

MACC chief to helm panel reviewing SOP

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed (pic) will head a new committee to review its existing standard operating procedures (SOP).

The executive transformation committee, which takes effect immediately, was formed following the release of the report into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock by the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

“MACC views seriously and accepts openly the recom­mendations suggested in the report,” the commission said in a statement here yesterday.

This move is in addition to the internal probe led by MACC deputy chief (management and professionalism) Datuk Zakaria Jaafar.

“The executive transformation committee will look into improving MACC’s effec­tiveness in both administrative and operational fields,” it said.

The committee comprises MACC’s four top officers, four MACC panel and committee members as well as two legal experts.

Zakaria has also been appointed into the committee.

The others include MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull, MACC deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Sutinah Sutan and Anti-Corruption Advi­­sory Board member Tan Sri Rashpal Singh.

Actions to be taken by the committee include re-forming the commission’s structure and management besides improv­ing its investigative effectiveness.

The committee will be assisted by the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) of the Prime Minister’s Depart­ment.

Local and foreign experts will help to evaluate and implement the RCI’s recommendations.

The RCI had recommended that action be taken against the officers who were involved in questioning Teoh.

Source : The Star

Former ACA officer jailed six months for corruption

A former Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) assistant superintendent was jailed six months by the High Court here for agreeing to accept a Rolex watch as a gift over an ongoing graft probe involving a former Selangor executive councillor.

Rahiman Selamat, 52, was convicted by High Court judge Justice Su Geok Yiam after hearing the prosecution’s appeal yesterday following his acquittal at a lower court.

He was said to have agreed to accept the Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch from one Razif Kamaruddin at The Mall in Jalan Putra on April 17, 1998. Razif is a friend of the Selangor exco member.

Justice Su also dismissed a stay application against the court ruling.

Rahiman was earlier acquitted by the Sessions Court on two counts of corruption.

He was freed on his principle charge of agreeing to accept the RM3,000 watch as an inducement to help executive councillor Datuk Saidin Thamby, who was then under an ACA probe.

He was also acquitted on an alternative charge.

Source : The Star

Two cops charged with bribery

Two policemen claimed trial at the Sessions Court here for allegedly asking and receiving a bribe from a man in Sitiawan.

L/Kpl Mohd Fauzi Embong, 31, and Kpl Zulkifli Mohamed, 51, of the Manjung district police, were charged with asking for a RM1,000 bribe from Arban Shiti at 12.15am on Nov 17 last year in front of a house in Sitiawan.

The two were also charged with receiving RM300 from Arban on the same date at 12.50am in front of Sitiawan’s Poslaju office.

Legal advice: Mohd Fauzi talking to Ranjit outside the Ipoh Sessions Court Friday

Sessions judge Noor Hayati Mat fixed Aug 23 for hearing.

She set bail at RM10,000 with one surety for each accused.

The duo, were charged under Section 16(a) (B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Com­mission (MACC) Act, which carries a jail term of not more than 20 years, RM10,000 fine or five times the amount involved, whichever is higher, or both.

The charge, under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act, carries the same punishment.

Mohd Shahrullah Khan Nawab Zadah Khan appeared for the commission while Ranjit Singh appeared for the two accused.

The two posted bail.

Source : The Star

Alcatel employee allegedly received kickbacks for TM contract

A customer accounts executive from Alcatel Network (M) Sdn Bhd is expected to be charged with graft today.

The company’s regional customer accounts leader is said to have received kickbacks amounting to thousands of ringgit in order to facilitate the approval of a contract between the company and Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) worth at least RM300mil.

She will be charged under Section 10(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commissions Act 1997 at the Sessions Court at Jalan Duta.

Alcatel Network (M) is a subsidiary of Alcatel-Lucent, which is currently barred from participating in tenders, contracts or joint ventures with TM and Axiata Group Bhd.

The decision was made by both companies following a call by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Com­mission (MACC).

Axiata had suspended its dealings with Alcatel-Lucent effective Feb 18, while TM’s suspension was effective Jan 5.

Alcatel-Lucent was investigated over allegations that it had used the services of consultants and made illicit payments to win or keep multi-million dollar telecommunication contracts in several countries including Malaysia.

Previous media reports stated that Alcatel-Lucent and three of its subsidiaries had to pay more than US$137mil (RM423mil) in fines and penalties to settle US charges.

Alcatel-Lucent agents were alleged to have paid bribes to officials in Malaysia to obtain or retain a telecommunications contract worth US$85mil (RM263mil) several years ago.

Subsequently, TM set up a task force to investigate the alleged improper payments from Alcatel-Lucent to its staff regarding bids for the then Celcom Bhd’s 3G mobile services.

MACC officers in January seized several documents and files from both TM and a company linked to Alcatel-Lucent in connection with the alleged bribes.

Source :The Star

RM50 bribe lands lorry driver in jail

A 47-year-old lorry driver almost broke down when the Sessions Court here sentenced him to a day’s jail and fined him RM10,000 for offering an RM50 bribe to an enforcement officer.

“Mohon maaf, mohon maaf. Saya janji sama tuan hakim. Saya tidak buat lagi, anak-anak mau bagi makan punya. Saya tidak mau masuk penjara. (I am sorry, I promise I will not repeat my offence. I have to feed my children. I do not want to go to jail),” said Lai Kim Fook.

However, Justice Ahmad Sazali Omar was not moved.

“You have committed an offence. Don’t think that enticing an enforcement officer with RM50 is a small offence. Do not undermine our law. I am sending you to jail,” judge Ahmad said when meting out the sentence.

The statement of the facts said Lau had offered the bribe to Road Transport Department enforcement chief Mohd Azrul Abdul Aziz as an inducement not to take action against him for committing a traffic offence.

The incident happened at 10.15am on AMJ expressway in Kandang here on May 25.

Lau paid the fine and was sent to the court police lock-up in Ayer Keroh.

Source : The Star

Ex-manager in bribery case granted discharge

Former Sime Darby Engineering Sdn Bhd senior manager Mazhazmi Jamaludin has been granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) after the prosecution failed to locate the key witness in his corruption trial over the sale and construction of three vessels worth over RM400mil.

Sessions Judge Rozilah Salleh granted the DNAA application filed last Friday by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor Anthony Kevin Morais.

On April 25, Morais applied for a DNAA order as key witness Redzuan Goh Mohammed Karian could not be located.

Mazhazmi, 37, was charged with accepting a RM200,000 payment as gratification in proposing MLC Shipbuilding Sdn Bhd to obtain a contract from Sime Darby to construct and sell a derrick lay barge and two anchor handling tug vessels worth a total of RM401.9mil.

He was also charged with accepting the money to confirm certain payments made by the shipbuilding company for the construction of the barge and tug vessels.

Mazhazmi, represented by lawyer Shamsul Sulaiman, was alleged to have received the money from Redzuan, the owner of MLC Shipbuilding.

He was charged under Section 11 (a) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.

Source : The Star

Defence casts doubts on Shamsuddin’s testimony

The defence team in the corruption trial involving Dr Mohd Khir Toyo challenged the credibility of key witness Sham-suddin Hayroni in its submissions to the High Court here.

Lawyer M. Athimulan, representing the former Selangor mentri besar, said Shamsuddin, the Dita-mas Sdn Bhd director, had made contradictory statements that suggested he was not a credible witness.

“Shamsuddin was investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Com-mission (MACC) and had his statements recorded in 2009.

“But when testifying in court, he contradicted the statement he gave in 2009 on three accounts,” he said, adding that Shamsuddin had committed perjury. “To what extent can his testimony be relied on?”

He said Shamsuddin had also claimed that RM3.5mil was too low a price for a bungalow and two plots of land to be sold to Dr Khir.

“However, Shamsuddin said in another testimony that he wanted to sell the properties at RM5.5mil and offer a discount,” Athimulan said.

Another defence counsel Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin said that when Shamsuddin bought the property in 2004, there was no valuation pricing it at RM6.5mil.

He further submitted that Dr Khir could not have known that it was valued at a price higher than RM3.5mil.

Deputy public prosecutor Abdul Wahab Mohamad, however, submitted it was unreasonable for the purchase of the properties to be based on a “willing buyer, willing seller” agreement.

“It is not reasonable because the price of the property sold (to Dr Khir) is almost less than half of the price that Shamsuddin paid for it (RM6.5mil),” he said.

He added there were no facts showing that Shamsuddin had sold it because he was having financial problems.

High Court judge Justice Mohtaru-din Baki fixed Aug 8 to deliver his decision as to whether Dr Khir would be called to enter his defence or be freed of the corruption charge.

Source : The Star

Previous News : Prosecution rests its case

Customs assistant director was terrified of going back to lock-up, says colleague

A close friend of Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed told the Coroner’s Court that the deceased had confided in him that he was snapped at and insulted by Malay­sian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers, and had described the lock-up where he was held overnight a few days before his death as “hell on earth”.

Customs assistant director Azman Jusoh said Ahmad Sarbaini had told him on April 3 that the MACC officers had yelled at him and told him he was not “fit to wear his (Customs) uniform”.

“He told me he had kept quiet and looked at all the officers because he wanted to recognise them, and then one of them shouted at him: ‘Samseng, nak gaduh ke?’ (Gangster, do you want to fight?).

“He also told me that he did not tell his wife this because he did not want her to worry,” Azman said in his testimony yesterday.

Azman, who called Ahmad Sarbaini his “close friend and tennis partner”, said they first met at a “tennis clinic” in 1998 and had been good friends since.

“We played tennis about three times a week,” he said.

He also told the court that Ahmad Sarbaini had called him at work at about 5.30am on April 6 and said he wanted to meet him to hand over cartons of mineral water and soft drinks for a tennis event.

When asked if it was unusual for Ahmad Sarbaini to call so early in the morning, Azman replied, “Yes”.

He added that his friend had looked a little stressed out when they met that morning.

Another witness, Customs senior assistant director Ahmad Maher Abd Jalil told the court that Ahmad Sarbaini had told him he admitted to taking the bribes because he was afraid he would be locked up again.

“I asked him why he had confessed to taking the bribes (on April 4), and I told him that it was wrong to make an admission if he did not actually take a bribe.

“He told me he ‘takut lock-up’ (afraid of the lock-up). The last thing he told me was: ‘Tak ada apa-apa tuan, tak payah takut. Berani buat, berani tanggung’ (It’s nothing, no need to be afraid. One must be responsible for one’s actions),” Ahmad Maher said.

He added that Ahmad Sarbaini said many people slept together in the lock-up on the cement floor, and that the toilet was far from satisfactory.

Ahmad Maher also described how Ahmad Sarbaini had told him he did not take the RM30 as accused, as it did not commensurate with his designation as a Customs assistant director.

Ahmad Sarbaini, 56, who was attached to the Port Klang Customs office, was found dead on the first floor of the MACC building on April 6.

He was reported to have gone to the commission’s office to meet the investigating officer assigned to corruption cases involving 62 customs officers.

The inquest continues today.

Source : The Star

Previous News : Ahmad Sarbaini considered payments as goodwill, MACC officers tells inquest

Ahmad Sarbaini considered payments as goodwill, MACC officers tells inquest

Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed's confession to taking bribes of between RM30 and RM200 came about during an informal chit-chat, and he considered them "goodwill payments", the inquest into the death of the Selangor Customs assistant director heard Tuesday.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) assistant enforcement officer Sheikh Niza Khairy Sheikh Mohamad testified that Ahmad Sarbaini's confession to taking the bribes from two freight-forwarding companies came about after he was done getting the latter's statement on April 4.

In the midst of chatting, Sheikh Niza Khairy said he started asking Ahmad Sarbaini about his work as a Custom's officer.

"I asked him, it can't be that as a Custom's officer you don't get anything at all?

"That's when he just said 'Just a little'," he told the court.

However, he said that Selangor Customs assistant director did not consider as bribes, but as "goodwill payments (wang ehsan)".

Sheikh Niza Khairy added that he made a mistake for not questioning Ahmad Sarbaini for more details following the unexpected confession.

It was previously reported that Ahmad Sarbaini had admitted to taking between RM30 and RM200 a month from Top Mark Freight & Shipping Sdn Bhd, and between RM50 and RM100 from Schenker Logistics Sdn Bhd.

Ahmad Sarbani, 56, who was attached to the Port Klang Customs office, was found dead at the badminton court on the first floor of the MACC building here on April 6.

He was reported to have gone to the commission's office to meet the investigation officer assigned to corruption cases involving 62 customs officers.

Source : The Star

Previous Related News : Sarbaini inquest: Police officer reveals logbook entries

Sarbaini inquest: Police officer reveals logbook entries

The inquest into the death of Selangor Customs assistant director Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed heard Monday that, according to three entries recorded in the Cheras police control centre logbook, a person had reportedly jumped from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) building at Jalan Cochrane here at 10.56am on April 6.

Kpl Nee Itam, from the Cheras police control centre, told the Coroner's court that the first entry at 10.44am read that a police MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) was ordered to go to the MACC building at Jalan Cochrane.

"There was a person trying to commit suicide," she said, reading out the entry at the inquest Monday.

Kpl Nee further revealed that the second entry at 10.49am that day read that the MPV had reached the location.

"At 10.56am, the victim had jumped from the MACC building and may possibly be dead," said the 50-year-old.

Ahmad Sarbaini, 56, who was attached to the Port Klang Customs office, was found dead at the badminton court on the first floor of the MACC building on April 6.

Source : The Star

Previous Related News : Sarbaini’s friend says he told police what MACC officer ordered him to say

Sarbaini’s friend says he told police what MACC officer ordered him to say

Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed's good friend said that he told the police what he had been told to say by a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer about the events leading up to the discovery of the Selangor Customs assistant director.

Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Zaki told the inquest into the Customs official's death that MACC investigating officer Abdul Ghani Ali also told him he (Wan Zainal Abidin) was to relate his account should anybody asked about the matter.

Wan Zainal Abidin, 41, said he met the MACC investigating officer after Ahmad Sarbaini's body was found at the bottom of the commission's office in Jalan Cochrane here on April 6.

Wan Zainal Abidin, a senior executive of export, operations and logistics at freight forwarding company, Schenker Logistics Sdn Bhd, said the investigating officer told him that Ahmad Sarbaini was in his (Abdul Ghani's) room prior to his death.

“Abdul Ghani said he went out of the room because he was hungry and returned later because wanted to ask Ahmad Sarbaini to come along.

“He said when he returned to the room, Ahmad Sarbaini was gone,” added Wan Zainal Abidin.

He said following a search for Ahmad Sarbaini, MACC officers looked out of the pantry window and saw the Customs official's body lying on the ground.

Wan Zainal Abidin added: “Abdul Ghani told me, If anybody asks you, you tell them what I told you.'

“I had no choice but to follow Abdul Ghani's instructions when I gave my statement to police officer ASP Zuhairi Mohamed.”

Asked about Abdul Ghani's tone of voice, Wan Zainal Abidin said: “He was shaking and looked pale. He sounded scared, his body was swaying and bubbles were forming at the side of his mouth.”

To a question by MACC counsel Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Wan Zainal Abidin denied that he had misheard Abdul Ghani.

Wan Zainal Abidin, who dealt with Ahmad Sarbaini in the course of his work, also denied that the deceased had received or asked for bribes from him.

The witness told the inquest he had met Ahmad Sarbaini a day earlier and asked why he had mentioned his (Wan Zainal Abidin's) name when questioned by the MACC.

“He said he was pressured at that time and, when he thought of Schenker, he thought of me,” added Wan Zainal Abidin.

He said Ahmad Sarbaini had poor appetite that day and did not finish his mee goreng during their meeting at a cafe.

“When I called him later that day, I told him to take care of his health and that whatever is done, is done.

“He said I was his friend who gave the semangat (will) to live.”

To a question by Muhammad Shafee, Wan Zainal Abidin said it was the first time he heard Ahmad Sarbaini saying such things.

Ahmad Sarbaini, 56, who was attached to the Port Klang Customs office, was found dead at the badminton court on the first floor of the MACC building on April 6.

The inquest before Coroner Aizatul Akmal Maharani continues on Monday.

Source : The Star

Previous Related News : Sarbaini’s friend says he told police what MACC officer ordered him to say

Sarbaini Inquest: CCTV recordings tampered with, says witness

The CCTV recordings at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) building around the time of Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed's death had been tampered with, the Coroner's court was told.

Audio-video analyst ASP Fauziah Che Mat, from the police forensics lab in Cheras, told the court that she believed the “CCTV recordings had been tampered with by a skilled person”.

In her analysis of three hard drives taken from the MACC building, two containing recordings of events inside the building had two interruptions, one of which was a 22-hour gap.

Recordings from DVR1 skipped from 2.47pm on April 5, 2011 to 1.24pm the next day, while recordings from DVR2 skipped from 2.37pm on April 5 to 1.36pm the following day.

Ahmad Sarbaini, 56, who was attached to the Port Klang Customs office, was found dead in the badminton court on the first floor of the MACC building on April 6.

Questioned by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Abazafree Mohd Abbas, ASP Fauziah explained that the recordings continued after Ahmad Sarbaini's death occurred.

She added that she believed the “interruptions” were made at the MACC building itself and that the device's recording system log showed it had been manually switched off and switched on later.

Another witness, Kuala Lumpur MACC director Mohamad Yusoff Akope, when questioned by lawyer Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, told the court he was informed that the discrepancies in the CCTV recordings had been “human error”.

“One of the security guards (Ismail Sedek) wanted to rewind it but didn't realise he had turned it off. Another security guard (Romizi) turned it on again,” he said, adding that the CCTV control room on the ground floor of the building was locked and only authorised personnel had access to it.

MACC security guard Ismail Sedek, however, in his testimony said: “The (CCTV) room is never locked, anyone can enter.”

He added that he had to click on “Escape” on April 5 to view a playback of the CCTV recordings but noticed that the “pictures weren't moving”. Ismail said he later informed his colleague on night duty of the problem.

The inquest before Coroner Aizatul Akmal Maharani continues today.

Source : The Star

Related news : Ahmad Sarbaini admitted receiving monthly bribes, MACC officer tells court

Ahmad Sarbaini admitted receiving monthly bribes, MACC officer tells court

Two days before he died, Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed admitted to receiving monthly bribes of between RM30 and RM200 from two freight-forwarding companies, the Coroner's court was told Thursday.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations unit head Muhamad Fauzi Husin told the court that Ahmad Sarbaini had himself admitted to taking between RM30 and RM200 a month from an "Ah Seng" (from Top Mark Shipping) and between RM50 and RM100 a "Zainal" (from Shenker Logistics Sdn Bhd).

He said the Selangor Customs assistant director had admitted this himself while he his statement was being taken for the second time on April 4 by assistant enforcement officer Sheikh Niza Khairy Sheikh Mohamad.

His first statement was taken on April 2 by assistant enforcement officer Mohd Rosly Mohd Saupi.

According to Muhamad Fauzi, he was told that Ahmad Sarbaini had turned up at the MACC office again on April 6, as he wanted to change his statement (to say that he did not take the bribes).

"I was in a meeting at that time. Sheikh came in to the meeting, saying Ahmad Sarbaini had turned up, and he wanted to change his statement.

"I instructed Abd Ghani Ali (the investigating officer for that case) to speak to Ahmad Sarbaini to find out why he wanted to change his statement," he said.

He also told the court that Ahmad Sarbaini was one of the customs officers picked up over MACC investigations that customs officers were receiving bribes from freight-forwarding companies to expedite approval processes, or lessen the taxes for containers at the ports.

However, counsel for the deceased's family Awtar Singh, when questioning Muhamad Fauzi, pointed out that he found it very odd that Ahmad Sarbaini did not mention anything about receiving the bribes when he was first arrested and interrogated on April 1 and 2, but instead made a confession on April 4, when he had already out on MACC bail.

"Most people would admit to such things when they are under duress, not when they are stable and calm," he said.

Ahmad Sarbani, 56, who was attached to the Port Klang Customs office, was found dead at the badminton court on the first floor of the MACC building on April 6.

He was reported to have gone to the commission's office to meet the investigation officer assigned to corruption cases involving 62 customs officers.

Source : The Star

Previous Related News : Sarbaini inquest: Coroner makes site visit to MACC building

Sarbaini inquest: Coroner makes site visit to MACC building

Coroner Aizatul Akmal Maharani and the others involved in the Sarbaini inquest made a site-visit to the Malaysian Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) building at Jalan Cochrane on Tuesday.

The site-visit, which began at about 10am on the second day of the inquest, saw the coroner, lawyers and Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed's wife, Maziah Manap, 50, and other family members, escorted upstairs to the third floor where Ahmad Sarbaini was last seen alive on April 6, this year.

Aizatul arriving at the MACC building in Jalan Cochrane on Tuesday

The media was not allowed up and was asked to wait at the lobby.

Speaking to reporters after the hour-long site-visit, counsel for the family members, Awtar Singh said the group went to see the badminton court where the deceased's body was found, the pantry, the room in which Ahmad Sarbani was interrogated and the surau.

He said he also did a "demonstration", where he tried putting his leg over the pantry window sill without leaning on the nearby sink.

"It was not easy," he said.

MACC lawyer Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah also spoke to reporters, saying the site-visit was significant as the inquest had previously only been able to rely on photographs, which did not give a "3D idea of how things happened".

"What everybody agreed though, is that from the pantry window, the roof to the left looks so near that you think you can jump on to it. But it's an optical illusion.

"The roof is about 3m (10ft) away, but you'll only realise this when you're already out of the window, by which time it might already be too late," Muhammad Shafee said.

He added that the inquest also went into the CCTV room, which showed all the CCTVs working.

"It's working now, but it may not have been working around that time (of the incident)," he said.

When asked if he would be calling Maziah to the stand again to be questioned by him, he said that there was no need for it at this point in time.

Also present at the site were deputy public prosecutors Mohamad Abazafree Mohd Abbas, Hanim Mohd Rashid, Azlina Rasdi and Nor Amalina Ismail, who were assisting the court with the inquest.

Ahmad Sarbaini, 56, who was attached to the Port Klang Customs office, was found dead at the badminton court on the first floor of the MACC building on April 6.

He was reported to have gone to the commission's office to meet the investigation officer assigned to corruption cases involving 62 customs officers.

The inquest continues Wednesday.

Source : The Star

Previous Related News : New evidence in Ahmad Sarbani’s death

Pak Lah refutes report on bribery bid over currency contract

Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has refuted a foreign media report alleging two Australian banknote firms attempted to bribe him over a multimillion-ringgit currency contract during his tenure as Prime Minister.

He said he had no recollection of anyone approaching him with such an offer.

“There is no truth whatsoever in the allegation as I cannot remember of anyone approaching me with any offer.

“If indeed there was any, I would have unhesitatingly lodged an immediate report to the regulatory authorities including the police for the necessary follow-up action,” Abdullah said in press statement yesterday.

A news report published in Australian daily The Age said the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) banknote firms were suspected of attempting to bribe Abdullah in order to get his help to win a A$31mil (RM99.82mil) currency contract.

The report said Abdullah was one of several highly influential Malaysian political figures whom anti-corruption authorities believe Securency and Note Printing Australia firms respectively half and fully owned and overseen by RBA allegedly sought to bribe using part of A$4.2mil (RM13.52mil) in commission payments made to two Malaysian middlemen.

The daily said its Malaysian sources confirmed that the Australian Federal Police had gathered information about attempts to bribe Abdullah by Securency and Note Printing Australia.

The newspaper said it was made to understand that the attempt to bribe Abdullah occurred in 2003, the year he became prime minister and finance minister.

Abdullah served as prime minister until 2009.

Last week, Bank Negara assistant governor Datuk Mohamad Daud Dol Moin, 58, claimed trial in the Sessions Court to two counts of accepting bribes amounting to RM100,000 from a businessman to help procure a contract from the central bank.

Mohamad Daud was accused of receiving two bribes of RM50,000 from Abdul Kayum Syed Ahmad at Dome Restaurant, Bangsar Shopping Centre, on Dec 1, 2004, and Feb 16, 2005.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said the contract to print RM5 polymer bank notes by Note Printing Australia Ltd was worth about RM95mil.

Source : The Star

Previous related news : Two banknote firms and six ex-employees charged

Two banknote firms and six ex-employees charged

Two banknote firms linked to Australia's central bank and six of their former employees were charged with bribing Asian officials to secure contracts to print their currencies.

Australian Federal Police said the charges against the men and currency companies Securency International and Note Printing Australia (NPA), relate to alleged bribes given to officials in Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Police said that during the period 1999 to 2005, the senior managers from Securency and NPA were believed to have utilised international sales agents to bribe foreign public officials in order to secure banknote contracts.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said it deeply regretted that the governance arrangements and processes in the companies at that time were not able to prevent or detect the alleged behaviour.

Governor Glenn Stevens said controls at both firms had been overhauled since the scandal broke two years ago, adding that all those charged no longer worked with the companies and the use of sales agents had stopped.

Securency, which is partly owned by the RBA and produces polymer banknotes used in more than 30 countries, said it had been charged with three counts of conspiracy to influence foreign officials.

The company said it was cooperating fully with authorities and considering its legal position.

NPA, a wholly owned RBA subsidiary responsible for running the printing works where Australia's banknotes are printed, made no immediate comment.

Police said that, in Indonesia, a foreign official allegedly received a bribe to ensure a joint venture banknote contract for Securency and NPA, while in Malaysia a bribe was allegedly used to win a contract for NPA.

In Vietnam, an official allegedly received a bribe paid in the form of a university scholarship to secure a banknote contract on behalf of Securency.

Police Commander Chris McDevitt said the six Australians charged, aged between 50 and 66, had been chief executives, chief financial officers or sales agents for Securency or NPA. - AFP

Source : The Star

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Ex-BNM assistant governor charged

Former Bank Negara assistant governor Datuk Mohamad Daud Dol Moin, 58, has claimed trial at a Sessions Court here to two counts of accepting bribes amounting to RM100,000 from a businessman to help procure a contract from the central bank.

The contract was to print RM5 polymer bank notes by Note Printing Australia Ltd.

Dressed in a dark suit, he calmly pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out to him at about 11am yesterday.

He was accused of receiving two bribes of RM50,000 from Abdul Kayum Syed Ahmad at Dome Restaurant, Bangsar Shopping Centre, on Dec 1, 2004, and Feb 16, 2005.

If convicted under Section 11(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, he can be jailed up to 20 years and fined five times the bribe amount, for each charge.

Out on bail: Mohamad Daud (centre) being escorted out of the court Friday. — Bernama

According to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the contract was worth about RM95mil.

DPP Manoj Kurup prosecuted while lawyers Collin Goonting and J.D. Goonting stood for the accused.

The prosecution suggested a bail of RM100,000, with one surety and the defence lawyers had no objections.

Bail was granted and judge Rosbiahanin Arifin fixed Aug 2 for mention.

Mohamad Daud, who joined Bank Negara in 1975 and retired as the assistant governor on May 1, 2009, was then taken to the Shah Alam court complex for another charge.

In SHAH ALAM, businessman Abdul Kayum claimed trial at the Sessions Court to two counts of bribing Mohamad Daud with RM100,000 as an inducement to secure a contract for the printing of the RM5 polymer notes in December 2004.

Abdul Kayum, 62, pleaded not guilty before judge Asmadi Hussin.

He was charged under Section 11 (b) of the Anti-Corruption Act and faces a maximum 20 years' jail and fines five times the bribe amount.

The offences were allegedly committed at the EON Bank, Jalan Taipan in Subang Jaya on Nov 24, 2004 and Feb 15, 2005. He was arrested on July 5 last year.

DPP Manoj offered bail at RM100,000 but defence counsel Gurbachan Singh asked for RM15,000.

He said Abdul Kayum was now unemployed and had a wife and three schoolgoing children.

The court fixed bail at RM50,000 with one surety and set Aug 2 for mention.

Meanwhile Bank Negara has made it clear that it does not condone any misconduct by its employees.

“The central bank upholds the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in carrying out its roles and functions.

In a statement late yesterday evening, Bank Negara also said it had been cooperating fully with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and other agencies in their investigations.

Source : The Star

Related news : Two banknote firms and six ex-employees charged