KUCHING: Police have launched an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of funds by three individuals under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Bukit Aman IGP secretariat anti-money laundering division chief SAC Datuk Khalil Azlan Chik said in connection to the case, 57 individuals as well as eight entities believed to be involved in proceeds of unlawful activities, were investigated under the same Act.
As a result of an operation codenamed ‘Op Kokas’ on Aug 22 in which six raids were conducted on premises throughout the city, police had frozen bank accounts and confiscated properties totalling RM6,182,355.51 thus far.
The items seized included 16 vehicles worth a total of RM763,000, land and property worth a total of RM2,375,000 and luxury items and cash amounting to RM90,650, all believed to have been obtained illegally.
“Seventy-one bank accounts have been frozen, totalling RM2,953,705,” he told a press conference at the State Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) office here yesterday.
SAC Khalil added that initial investigation also revealed that the suspects (chairman, secretary and treasurer of the local automobile cooperative) allegedly embezzled RM3.4mil between 2012 and 2017.
He pointed out that Koperasi Automobil Kuching Sarawak Bhd (Kokas) was appointed to receive government allocation starting from May 2012 that were channelled in stages to conduct programmes under the Program Permodenan Bengkel Baik Pulih and Program Permodenan Kedai Runcit in the state totalling RM7.5mil.
“An investigation under Section 409 of the Penal Code commenced on Sept 21 last year,” SAC Khalil said, adding that on June 26 this year, a follow-up investigation was carried out under the Act against 57 people and eight entities.
Investigations are ongoing under Section 4(1) of the Act to trace the money and on the seized and frozen assets, and the three suspects could also be charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust.
Meanwhile, state CCID chief Supt Mustafa Kamal Gani said no arrest had been made thus far and that all suspects were called in to have their statements recorded. The suspects are businessmen and not prominent figures.
“Investigations are ongoing and we have called in several suspects aged between 25 and 50 for their statements to be recorded.”
