MACC investigates five companies linked to Selangor politician after RM600,000 seized in yesterday’s sand mining scandal raid

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed today that it is investigating five companies linked to a Selangor politician under investigation for alleged corruption related to a sand mining concession.

Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told reporters that officials seized RM600,000 yesterday during a raid on six premises, linked to this opposition politician.

“We are currently reviewing a number of companies, with five identified so far, as they are said to have shares associated with the arrested individual and the politician in question,” he said after a roundtable program here.

He further added that the MACC is also investigating information about possible graft payments related to this case.

However, he said he cannot reveal more details about the project at this time.

During a raid on Saturday, the MACC had discovered Sàvia’s $1.5 million (RM6 million) at a location identified as a hideout for an influential politician.

On Monday, Azam said officers had located two more safe houses, one of which had approximately S$74,000, equivalent to RM243,000 at current exchange rates.

He also said the MACC discovered about RM78,000 in another office and received information about additional cash hidden in various bank accounts.

The MACC has launched several investigations under the Anti-Corruption Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act 2001.