Police freeze, seize RM409mil in assets in corporate mafia probe

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have frozen and seized assets worth about RM409 million in an ongoing investigation into alleged corporate mafia activities.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the assets comprised eight properties, 11 vehicles, 417 central depository system accounts, 70 share-trading accounts worth about RM323.59 million and 404 bank accounts holding about RM85.62 million.

Police had recorded statements from 70 people as of Sept 25, he said.

"Based on the backgrounds and identities of those questioned, no Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers were involved or identified as assisting in the investigation," he said in a written parliamentary reply.

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

Saifuddin said Op Viking was ongoing as police worked to complete the investigation papers.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim 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 have 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.