Putrajaya: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will record statements from three celebrities, including a well-known singer, tomorrow as part of its Op Sky investigation into corruption and money laundering involving a financial consulting company.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki stated that the three individuals are scheduled to appear at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at 10 am. He emphasized that these individuals are being called solely to provide statements to assist in further investigations related to Op Sky and are not considered suspects. Their statements are crucial for completing the investigation papers.
The investigation revealed that celebrities and artistes had received payments up to RM400,000 over one to two years as ambassadors of the company for promotional purposes. As part of Op Sky, MACC recently uncovered corruption and money laundering activities involving a financial consulting company and bank officers from multiple financial institutions.
A total of 12 individuals were detained in raids executed by MACC’s Anti-Money Laundering Division in cooperation with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) at 24 locations, including residences and offices around the Klang Valley, last Monday. To date, 27 individuals have been apprehended, comprising 18 bank officers, eight employees of the financial consulting company, and one civilian, all of whom have been released on MACC bail.
During the operation, MACC seized approximately 4,000 documents and froze 98 bank accounts valued at more than RM17 million.
In a separate issue, Azam mentioned that it is premature for MACC to open an investigation paper regarding allegations of misconduct involving a Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) advisory board member linked to a RM4 million project award. MACC is collaborating with DBKL, which has agreed to share project-related documents. Azam discussed this with Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, who consented to sharing the relevant documents for analysis to determine if there are irregularities warranting further investigation.
He further noted that MACC is cautious in proceeding, as allegations surfaced on social media regarding misconduct involving the advisory board member, alleging governance process breaches in the awarding of a RM4 million creative content production project for DBKL, reportedly not granted through an open tender.