The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen 14 bank accounts worth an estimated RM1.1 million as part of its ongoing investigation into an alleged corruption syndicate involving immigration-related offences linked to foreign nationals.
The frozen accounts comprise five company accounts and nine personal accounts belonging to several individuals suspected of involvement in the case.
According to a source, the coordinated operation, carried out on Wednesday by MACC’s Intelligence Division together with its offices in Putrajaya, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, also resulted in the seizure of assets estimated to be worth more than RM1.4 million.
Among the items seized were RM393,150 in cash, 18 million Indonesian Rupiah (approximately RM4,050), 10 luxury vehicles, three motorcycles and 14 one-gram gold bars.
Authorities also confiscated around 80 pieces of jewellery, including bracelets and rings, valued at approximately RM118,500, three luxury watches worth about RM42,200, a luxury handbag valued at RM9,000 and 17 mobile phones estimated to be worth RM48,000.
The source said nine investigation papers have been opened so far, with the operations leading to the freezing of bank accounts and the seizure of assets belonging to companies and individuals linked to the case.
The investigation follows the arrest of 38 individuals during four coordinated operations — Op Layer in Putrajaya, Op Dalang in Selangor, Op Raider in Negeri Sembilan and Op Genuine in Melaka.
Of those detained, 33 individuals, including enforcement officers, civil servants, members of the public and foreign nationals, were remanded to assist investigations.
On Thursday, MACC also detained another enforcement officer at its Putrajaya headquarters to facilitate the investigation. The individual was later released on MACC bail.
MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman confirmed the development, adding that the case is being investigated under Sections 16(b)(A), 17(a), 17(b) and 18 of the MACC Act 2009.
