Hamzah, family members account frozen in IRB probe?
DIANA AZIS23 Aug 2023 09:31pm
Hamzah Zainudin - BERNAMA
SHAH ALAM - The accounts of opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and his family members are reportedly frozen by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
According to sources, the move is part of the ongoing probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into Bersatu's secretary-general's connection with a RM15 million corruption case involving businessman Datuk Seri Sim Choo Thiam.
Last June, the media reported that Hamzah's residence in Damansara, Kuala Lumpur was raided by IRD due to undisclosed taxes.
Prior to this, Hamzah had confirmed that he was summoned to MACC to give a statement on a case in the Kuala Lumpur sessions court.
He claimed that the charges against the businessman which has been implicated were to tarnish his image and the Perikatan Nasional's reputation.
On Aug 11, Hamzah was reported to have issued a letter of demand to the government and MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki in response to allegations linking him to the corruption case.
Based on the four corruption charges filed in May, the 63-year-old Choo was accused of committing an offence of soliciting and three charges of accepting bribes amounting to RM15 million between June and July 30 2021, as an inducement for Hamzah, who was then the Home Affairs Minister, to assist Asia Coding Centre Sdn Bhd in obtaining projects from agencies under the relevant ministry.
