[UPDATED]: No MACC officers identified among witnesses in corporate mafia probe

KUALA LUMPUR: No Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers were identified among the witnesses questioned in the police investigation into alleged corporate mafia activities.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said police recorded statements from 70 people as of Sept 25.

"Based on the backgrounds and identities of the witnesses called to have their statements recorded, no MACC officers were involved or identified as assisting in the investigation," he said in a written parliamentary reply.

He said police opened an investigation paper under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act on Oct 14 last year.

The investigation, known as Op Viking, had led to the arrest of several people and the freezing and seizure of assets believed to be linked to the activities.

Saifuddin was responding to Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), who asked about the scope and latest status of the police investigation following the cabinet's directive for a comprehensive probe.

The question also covered the number of MACC and other enforcement officers called in or investigated, as well as findings on alleged abuse of power or influence in enforcement actions.

Saifuddin said police had frozen and seized eight properties, 11 vehicles, 417 central depository system (CDS) accounts, 70 share-trading accounts worth about RM323.59 million and 404 bank accounts holding about RM85.62 million.

He said Op Viking investigations were ongoing as police worked to complete the investigation papers.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim previously told the Dewan Rakyat that a special task force led by the attorney-general was formed to coordinate investigations involving all relevant enforcement agencies.

The corporate mafia allegations were raised in a Bloomberg report in February, which accused the MACC of aiding a group of businessmen in taking control of public listed companies.

Former MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki and the commission denied the claims.

Bloomberg also reported that Azam held 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital, citing a filing with the Companies Commission of Malaysian. The shareholding was disclosed in Velocity Capital's annual return.

Based on the company's share price, the stake was worth about RM800,000. Azam had maintained that his shareholding in the financial services company was transparent and above board.