Don’t believe viral photos of seized items, says Comm Amar

(The Star) – Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Commissioner Datuk Seri Amar Singh Ishar Singh warned the public not to believe photos of purportedly seized items that have gone viral on social media.

“My officers on the ground on the day of the search were not allowed to carry their handphones with them.

“Whatever photography there was, was done by our official photographer from Bukit Aman, using our police camera.

“Whatever photographs that have been going viral showing cash and watches are all fake news.

“Do not spread such photos because this will affect our investigation,” he said at a press briefing on the search conducted at a Pavilion Residences apartment here in connection with the investigation into 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Comm Amar said that photos that depicting cash found in walls, as well as photos of several gold bars, were “fake news”.

Commenting on former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s statement expressing his dissatisfaction with the confiscation of items at his children’s apartments, Comm Amar said that the investigation was conducted under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust, which allows for such seizures.

“I can confirm that some baby shoes were confiscated, as well as approximately 150 handbags and some watches at (Najib’s daughter’s) premises,” said Comm Amar.

He added that he had a search warrant for the empty Pavilion Residences condominium unit that had a total of RM114mil worth of cash found in 35 bags.

A total of 284 handbags, watches and jewellery were also seized from the empty unit.

Comm Amar declined to disclose who owned the empty unit.

“If they can show that the item (handbag) was bought by them, we will return the item,” he said.

“I personally called in all my officers and gave them a very stern warning that no photographs should be taken, and we are supposed to conduct the search as professionally as we can because we are searching the premises of our ex-prime minister,” he added.