The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has traced millions of ringgit more in the accounts of Customs Department officers, including at least RM2mil in the account of a retired Customs director.
Sources said the task force investigating the case believed a well-known forwarding company had banked the money into the account of the retired director for favours granted while in office.
They said more officers living beyond their means had been identified.
“Efforts are under way to freeze their accounts. Investigations have intensified as more information pertaining to the illegal activities has surfaced.
“There is not going to be any slowing down as the information showed several billions of ringgit are still out there.
The sources said the task force, despite being “attacked” by various quarters following the death of Selangor Customs assistant director Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed, who was found dead at the MACC headquarters here on Wednesday morning, would not let up on their investigations.
The sources said several teams were continuing their probes in other states and did not rule out more arrests.
MACC, together with several other agencies, had arrested over 60 senior Customs officers and seized millions of ringgit, gold bars and other valuable items such as luxury cars and watches from them.
The raids were conducted at several ports nationwide especially in Penang, Port Klang, Kuantan, Johor and Sabah following information that syndicates with their tentacles in many organisations had siphoned out more than RM10bil via tax evasion and money-laundering.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said initial findings into the death of Ahmad Sarbani showed that his injuries were consistent with a fall from a height.
He said police had received the post-mortem report and sent the findings to the crime laboratory for further analysis.
“The lab should conclude its analysis by the end of next week. We have also recorded statements from six MACC officers to facilitate investigations,” he said at the city police headquarters yesterday.
Source : The Star
Saturday, April 9, 2011
MACC to tighten handling of suspects and visitors
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers must now resolve all matters related to guests, suspects, witnesses and complainants on the ground floor of its premises with immediate effect.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (management and professionalism) Datuk Zakaria Jaafar said that in leased premises, officers had been directed to monitor at all times anyone with official business with the anti-graft body.
He said this followed a long-time directive from previous director-generals that meeting of visitors and guests was limited to visitors' and waiting rooms.
“Under the new directive, maximum security steps must be taken for everyone who has business with MACC, especially the accused, suspects, witnesses and complainants,” he told reporters at MACC headquarters here yesterday.
“All business must be resolved or performed under the supervision of an MACC officer at all times. Guests cannot be left alone.
“It is not merely the safety of the visitors but also that of the officers and premises,” he said.
Zakaria said his division, which is in charge of discipline, would issue warning letters, suspend or terminate the employment of any officer found to have violated the orders.
“I have also asked the excellence and professionalism division to take strict action against any officer who violates these orders so that discipline in MACC remains at the highest level,” he said, stressing that action would only be taken against officers performing “non-criminal” acts.
“Criminal violations will be referred to the relevant authorities such as the police,” Zakaria said, adding that procedures related to the interrogation and handling of witnesses and suspects were contained in the MACC Chief Commissioner's Standing Orders.
Zakaria also told MACC directors in charge of safety to inspect all its premises to ensure that its security measures had been adhered to.
In Petaling Jaya, MCA publicity bureau deputy chairman Loh Seng Kok said measures must be taken to strengthen and improve the design and construction of MACC buildings.
Source : The Star
MACC deputy chief commissioner (management and professionalism) Datuk Zakaria Jaafar said that in leased premises, officers had been directed to monitor at all times anyone with official business with the anti-graft body.
He said this followed a long-time directive from previous director-generals that meeting of visitors and guests was limited to visitors' and waiting rooms.
“Under the new directive, maximum security steps must be taken for everyone who has business with MACC, especially the accused, suspects, witnesses and complainants,” he told reporters at MACC headquarters here yesterday.
“All business must be resolved or performed under the supervision of an MACC officer at all times. Guests cannot be left alone.
“It is not merely the safety of the visitors but also that of the officers and premises,” he said.
Zakaria said his division, which is in charge of discipline, would issue warning letters, suspend or terminate the employment of any officer found to have violated the orders.
“I have also asked the excellence and professionalism division to take strict action against any officer who violates these orders so that discipline in MACC remains at the highest level,” he said, stressing that action would only be taken against officers performing “non-criminal” acts.
“Criminal violations will be referred to the relevant authorities such as the police,” Zakaria said, adding that procedures related to the interrogation and handling of witnesses and suspects were contained in the MACC Chief Commissioner's Standing Orders.
Zakaria also told MACC directors in charge of safety to inspect all its premises to ensure that its security measures had been adhered to.
In Petaling Jaya, MCA publicity bureau deputy chairman Loh Seng Kok said measures must be taken to strengthen and improve the design and construction of MACC buildings.
Source : The Star
Cop arrested for trying to cash in on Customs detainee
A policeman was arrested for trying to cash in on a Customs officer detained during a recent sweep by asking for money and food from their relatives.
A lance-corporal at the Ayer Molek detention centre allegedly asked for several hundred ringgit and foodstuff for more than a dozen people from a woman several days ago.
The policeman, in his 30s, was said to have demanded the items to allow the wife to meet with her husband, who was detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commis-sion (MACC) in connection with the Customs swoop nationwide.
The policeman, upon hearing that the MACC was aware of his demand, surrendered to the commission, which has since started investigations under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009.
The Act provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and maximum fine of RM10,000, or five times the value of the bribe.
Johor MACC director Simi Abdul Ghani confirmed the arrest and said that it was their procedure to place suspects at the Ayer Molek detention centre, as they did not have their own lock-up yet.
Source : The Star
A lance-corporal at the Ayer Molek detention centre allegedly asked for several hundred ringgit and foodstuff for more than a dozen people from a woman several days ago.
The policeman, in his 30s, was said to have demanded the items to allow the wife to meet with her husband, who was detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commis-sion (MACC) in connection with the Customs swoop nationwide.
The policeman, upon hearing that the MACC was aware of his demand, surrendered to the commission, which has since started investigations under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009.
The Act provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and maximum fine of RM10,000, or five times the value of the bribe.
Johor MACC director Simi Abdul Ghani confirmed the arrest and said that it was their procedure to place suspects at the Ayer Molek detention centre, as they did not have their own lock-up yet.
Source : The Star
Friday, April 8, 2011
Full surveillance call for MACC interrogation rooms
Community leader and social commentator Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam has appealed to the government to provide enough funds to ensure full surveillance at all Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) interrogation rooms.
He called for the installation of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) in such rooms and suggested that windows at MACC premises be covered.
There should also be an immediate retraining of interrogation officers on the standard operating procedures, he said when commenting on the death of Selangor Customs assistant director Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed, whose body was found on a badminton court of the MACC office here on Wednesday.
“The government could win wide public support if it quickly decides to accede to the request of about 75 non-governmental organisation to set up a commission of inquiry, royal or otherwise, to find the truth behind this incident,” he said in a statement Friday.
Navaratnam, a former chairman of the MACC panel on prevention and consultations, disagreed with calls for MACC chief Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed to resign in the wake of the incident.
“Instead, we should give him full support to set matters straight at MACC as soon as possible,” said Navaratnam, suggesting that the MACC should be fully revamped to meet rising expectations of the public for a more efficient and effective service.
Meanwhile, MCA Central Committee member Loh Seng Kok said a careful review was required on how MACC officials conducted the questioning process, if their interrogation methods were deemed harsh.
He wanted the MACC to ensure the safety of witnesses called for questioning.
“Measures must be taken to strengthen and improve the design and construction of MACC office buildings such as installing iron grilles on the glass windows to prevent fatal incidents,” he said in a statement.
Source: Bernama
He called for the installation of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) in such rooms and suggested that windows at MACC premises be covered.
There should also be an immediate retraining of interrogation officers on the standard operating procedures, he said when commenting on the death of Selangor Customs assistant director Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed, whose body was found on a badminton court of the MACC office here on Wednesday.
“The government could win wide public support if it quickly decides to accede to the request of about 75 non-governmental organisation to set up a commission of inquiry, royal or otherwise, to find the truth behind this incident,” he said in a statement Friday.
Navaratnam, a former chairman of the MACC panel on prevention and consultations, disagreed with calls for MACC chief Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed to resign in the wake of the incident.
“Instead, we should give him full support to set matters straight at MACC as soon as possible,” said Navaratnam, suggesting that the MACC should be fully revamped to meet rising expectations of the public for a more efficient and effective service.
Meanwhile, MCA Central Committee member Loh Seng Kok said a careful review was required on how MACC officials conducted the questioning process, if their interrogation methods were deemed harsh.
He wanted the MACC to ensure the safety of witnesses called for questioning.
“Measures must be taken to strengthen and improve the design and construction of MACC office buildings such as installing iron grilles on the glass windows to prevent fatal incidents,” he said in a statement.
Source: Bernama
Second autopsy done with police present
A second post-mortem was conducted on Selangor Customs assistant director Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed to ensure that the proper procedures were followed.
The second examination was conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre head of forensic unit Professor Dr Shahrom Abdul Wahid in the presence of federal deputy CID director Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.
It is learnt that Acryl Sani was not present during the initial post-mortem conducted on Wednesday night as he was away.
Meanwhile, emotions ran high as Ahmad Sarbani’s body was claimed by his family at 4.30pm for burial.
Distraught family: Maziah (left) and relatives leaving Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre after collecting Ahmad Sarbani’s body for burial Thursday.
Hundreds of Customs officers, relatives and friends accompanied the body to the Customs Department Mosque in Kelana Jaya to pay their last respects.
Many had been waiting since early morning for the body, which arrived at the mosque at 5.10pm.
Ahmad Sarbani’s mother, known only as Aishah, fainted as prayers were being recited.
His distraught father, only known as Mohamed had to be escorted out of the mosque by relatives.
The body was taken to the Kota Damansara Muslim cemetery at 5.40pm and he was laid to rest at 6.15pm.
Ahmad Sarbani leaves a wife, Maziah Manaf, and five children.
He worked as a hospital attendant at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital before joining the Customs Department.
At the time of his death, he was a Selangor Customs assistant director.
Some of his colleagues said that they did not believe Ahmad Sarbani could have taken his own life.
One of his colleagues, who declined to be named, said that the deceased was a cheerful and athletic man.
“I was saddened to hear about his death. I stayed up the whole night crying,” she said, adding that she did not believe Ahmad Sarbani would commit suicide.
Source : The Star
The second examination was conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre head of forensic unit Professor Dr Shahrom Abdul Wahid in the presence of federal deputy CID director Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.
It is learnt that Acryl Sani was not present during the initial post-mortem conducted on Wednesday night as he was away.
Meanwhile, emotions ran high as Ahmad Sarbani’s body was claimed by his family at 4.30pm for burial.
Distraught family: Maziah (left) and relatives leaving Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre after collecting Ahmad Sarbani’s body for burial Thursday.Hundreds of Customs officers, relatives and friends accompanied the body to the Customs Department Mosque in Kelana Jaya to pay their last respects.
Many had been waiting since early morning for the body, which arrived at the mosque at 5.10pm.
Ahmad Sarbani’s mother, known only as Aishah, fainted as prayers were being recited.
His distraught father, only known as Mohamed had to be escorted out of the mosque by relatives.
The body was taken to the Kota Damansara Muslim cemetery at 5.40pm and he was laid to rest at 6.15pm.
Ahmad Sarbani leaves a wife, Maziah Manaf, and five children.
He worked as a hospital attendant at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital before joining the Customs Department.
At the time of his death, he was a Selangor Customs assistant director.
Some of his colleagues said that they did not believe Ahmad Sarbani could have taken his own life.
One of his colleagues, who declined to be named, said that the deceased was a cheerful and athletic man.
“I was saddened to hear about his death. I stayed up the whole night crying,” she said, adding that she did not believe Ahmad Sarbani would commit suicide.
Source : The Star
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