KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) detected a tax revenue leakage amounting to a whopping RM2 billion through Op Samba 2.0 between March 11 and 25.
According to MACC, the operation by its anti-money laundering division (AML) focused on investigating the personnel and officers of the Customs Department stationed in the cargo section of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Conducted in collaboration with the Inland Revenue Board and Bank Negara Malaysia, the detected leakage represents a significant national revenue loss, posing a continuous negative impact on the economy if not addressed, the agency said.
“In this operation, MACC detained 34 Customs personnel and officers ranging from grades 19 to 44, along with 27 individuals and company owners.
“The investigation revealed their collusion with syndicates involved in the smuggling, importation, and sale of illicit alcohol and cigarettes.
“Following the arrests, the AML division of the MACC confiscated mobile phones, laptops, and eight luxury vehicles belonging to the syndicate to aid the investigation,” it said in a statement today.
In connection with the operation, MACC froze 231 bank accounts owned by individuals, companies, and “mule accounts” amounting to approximately RM18 million linked to the smuggling syndicate activities.
The agency said, so far, two Customs officers have been charged, and 23 Customs personnel and officers will be prosecuted in six separate sessions courts nationwide by June 6.
It said all of them will be charged under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 165 of the Penal Code. – May 23, 2024