Probe into how ex-spies brought in US$12mil from the Middle East


(The Star) – Anti-graft investigators are probing if senior intelligence officers accused of misappropriating government funds had “help” to bring in US$12mil (RM49.37mil) – believed to be from Middle East source – into the country.

The cash was believed to have been brought in via air, possibly through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Highly placed sources in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said this angle needs to be looked into as it would be difficult to carry such a staggering amount of money undetected.

Malaysian laws require those bringing in US$10,000 and above into the country to declare them at the point of entry.

“Obviously there was a breach of security because the cash was brought in without raising alarms of the authorities at the airport.

“We want to investigate to see if those who brought in the money had some assistance so that they need not declare it,” a source told The Star.

Following the remand of seven officers from the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation as well as its former chief Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid, investigators found out that the money was brought into the country three months ago in May.

“The timing suggests that the cash was for the general election. But the other question is why the officers had their hands on the money,” said the same source.

Investigators are also not discounting the possibility that the funds could be from 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

“We will have to probe deeper before coming to a conclusion,” the source added.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki said there was a possibility that the money was brought into the country through the airport.

“Whatever the entry point is, we would like to know how it passed through security. Obviously, that would be one angle of investigation,” he said when contacted.

Earlier today (Aug 30), Azam at a press conference said MACC had seized some US$6.3mil (RM26mil) in cash in its investigations into the alleged misappropriation of US$12mil in government funds involving the Hasanah.

“Our latest arrest was of a businessman in Kelantan at 11pm on Wednesday (Aug 29).

“In total, nine people have been arrested so far and we are not ruling out the possibility of more arrests,” he told a press conference on Thursday (Aug 30).

Azam added some US$4.07mil (RM16.8mil) of the recovered funds were seized from the businessman.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/08/30/probe-into-ex-spies-bringing-in-12mil/#woYfwiyqHBIXjyIq.99



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