Safe house: MACC to call prominent politician

So far, around 15 witnesses have been called by the MACC, with more expected to be called for the ongoing investigation.

ASYIKIN ASMIN
ASYIKIN ASMIN
14 Oct 2024 04:36pm
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki at the 2024 Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption (KITA) Convention which was opened by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (second, left) in Kota Kinabalu, today.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki at the 2024 Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption (KITA) Convention which was opened by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (second, left) in Kota Kinabalu, today.

KOTA KINABALU - A politician linked to the search conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on a "safe house" said to be used as a place to store cash, will be called in for questioning.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki did not deny the fact that the case involved a prominent politician but said he could not reveal the identity of the individual.

"The person (politician) will be called when it is deemed appropriate by the investigating officer. We need to gather evidence that we need before we summon the person.

"After we are satisfied with the discovery of documents and money related to the case, we will call in the person," he said after attending the 2024 Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption (KITA) Convention at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), here, today.

When asked about the politician's connection to the "safe house", Azam confirmed that the former was suspected of involvement in corruption.

So far, he said around 15 witnesses have been called by the MACC, with more expected to be called for the ongoing investigation.

"I don’t know how many, but there will be many more witnesses to be called.

"This case will also involve opening investigation papers under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001," he said.

He said a total of four individuals including a woman have been remanded in relation to the case.

"A company director or businessman who is currently under remand until Oct 15 was arrested on Oct 10

"Another individual, a 45-year-old former employee of Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) (MBI), was remanded for only one night due to his prostate cancer condition.

"The third individual, a 43-year-old driver, was remanded for three days and has been released.

"The fourth one is a 46-year-old woman who is a former financial officer of a company involved in sand concession and she was released after a three-day remand," he said.

He also confirmed earlier reports of the discovery of SG$1.5 million, or approximately RM5 million at a location referred to as a "safe house."

On Sunday, it was reported that the MACC discovered RM5 million in foreign currency during a raid on an apartment unit in Kuala Lumpur, believed to be used as a "safe house" by a prominent politician.