KUALA LUMPUR – Raub Mining & Development Company Sdn Bhd has filed a lawsuit alleging that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) unlawfully seized documents protected by a prior court order. The documents are reportedly linked to an ongoing civil dispute.
According to the documents submitted to the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 30, the company claims that MACC officers visited their office on February 2 and 6, invoking Section 30(1)(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act to request the documents.
Two days later, on February 8, the MACC summoned Raub Mining & Development director, Edward Kam Tai Keong, and company secretary, Daniel Wong Chan Wai, for questioning at its headquarters in Putrajaya.
“Curiously, I was informed by Edward and Daniel that the line of questioning revolved around the subject matter of ongoing civil disputes involving the plaintiffs and Datuk Seri Andrew Kam Tai Yeow,” the affidavit-in-support, sworn by Raub Mining & Development director Chew Tee Beng, said.
The civil litigation in question involves a suit in which Andrew accused Raub Mining & Development, along with several other parties, including his father, former MCA secretary-general Tan Sri Kam Woon Wah, of conspiring to harm his economic interests within the company.
According to previous news reports, Woon Wah had publicly disowned through a newspaper advertisement, effectively cutting him off from any inheritance.
In 2021, Andrew also sued his father, requesting the court to assess Woon Wah’s mental health and his capacity to instruct lawyers.
Chew’s affidavit notes that Andrew had previously sought a court order to inspect the company’s documents, which the court denied.
“These financial records, to which Andrew was previously denied access, have now been ordered to be handed over to MACC for their investigation.
“The plaintiffs were informed by MACC that the investigation was pursuant to a report lodged against the plaintiffs.
“The plaintiffs have requested MACC to disclose the identity of the complainant but the request was refused.
“Without such disclosure, the plaintiffs cannot identify the wrongdoers who may have lodged false and/or malicious report(s) to the MACC,” the affidavit reads.
Raub Mining & Development is seeking a court order to compel the MACC to reveal the identity of the complainant. The lawsuit also names Raub Oil Mill Sdn Bhd and Edward Kam, who is also Woon Wah’s son, as plaintiffs.
According to the court’s e-filing system, the case is scheduled for management via e-Review on August 28. – August 14, 2024