MACC seizes RM183mil in assets from scrap metal smuggling syndicate

BUTTERWORTH: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized various assets estimated to be worth over RM183mil following raids on a scrap metal smuggling syndicate.

The raids, carried out in five states—Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor, and Kedah—began on Monday (July 14) and progressed across various factories on Tuesday (July 15).

According to the MACC, the raids were conducted by their Special Operations Division in collaboration with the Customs Department, the Inland Revenue Board, and Bank Negara through the Ops Metal Multi-Agency Task Force.

“The raids saw 45 company accounts and 82 individual banking accounts being frozen, involving about RM51mil.

“The seized assets included eight properties in Penang — three bungalow units in Batu Maung, one penthouse unit in Tanjung Tokong, one shoplot unit in Bayan Lepas, 12.54ha (31 acres) of land in Nibong Tebal, 2.8ha (7.1 acres) of land in Batu Uban, 2.26ha (5.6 acres) of land in Juru, as well as more than 793ha (1,960 acres) of oil palm plantation land in Kuala Krai, Kelantan.

“MACC seized six luxury cars estimated to be worth more than RM1.9mil as well,” the statement on Tuesday (July 15) read.

It said during the raid, they seized five branded watches estimated to be worth more than RM740,000.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the freezing of bank accounts and the seizure of the properties, luxury vehicles, and watches.

He said that following the operation on Monday (July 14), MACC conducted searches at 13 new locations in Penang, Kedah, Johor, and around the Klang Valley on Tuesday.

“MACC is currently identifying parties who are in cahoots with this syndicate that smuggles out the metal and e-waste through the Klang and Penang ports, causing the government to lose an estimated RM950mil in tax revenue over the past six years.

“The focus of the investigation is on offences under Sections 16 (offenses related to soliciting or accepting gratification) and 18 (offence of intending to deceive by providing false claims) of the MACC Act 2009.

“In addition to the investigation, we are analysing and identifying elements of other criminal offences, including money laundering activities.

“This includes investigations carried out by other agencies involved in this operation into offences under the Income Tax Act 1967 and the Customs Act 1967,” he said.