GEORGE TOWN – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has recorded statements from 27 witnesses as part of its investigation into scrap metal and e-waste smuggling syndicates operating across five states, which are believed to have paid bribes to enforcement officers — resulting in an estimated RM950 million loss in tax revenue to the government.
According to sources, those questioned include a businessman bearing a “Datuk” title, believed to be linked to the smuggling activities. His statement was recorded earlier today. No arrests have been made so far.
“As of today, the MACC has frozen 324 bank accounts — 142 belonging to companies and 182 to individuals — involving nearly RM150 million. Seized assets are valued at approximately RM183 million. In total, the combined value of frozen and seized items now exceeds RM332 million,” the sources added.
MACC Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin confirmed the developments when contacted, stating that investigations are ongoing to identify all individuals involved in the syndicate.
He said the MACC is now tracing the financial sources of the suspects and related companies, in collaboration with agencies such as the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
“In addition to offences under Sections 16 and 18 of the MACC Act 2009 and money laundering provisions, investigations are also being carried out under the Income Tax Act 1967 and the Customs Act 1967 by relevant agencies,” he said.
On July 14, Bernama reported that the MACC had launched a major crackdown on smuggling operations believed to be bribing enforcement personnel to evade taxes. The coordinated action — known as Op Metal — was carried out across Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
The operation involved seven raids in Selangor, six in Penang, four in Kedah, and one each in Negeri Sembilan and Johor. These targeted residences, business premises, and scrap metal storage and processing centres believed to be linked to the illicit activity.
As part of the raids, authorities froze 45 company and 82 individual bank accounts with a total value of around RM51 million.
Among the seized assets were eight properties in Penang — including three bungalows in Batu Maung, a penthouse in Tanjung Tokong, a shoplot in Bayan Lepas, and parcels of land in Nibong Tebal (31 acres), Batu Uban (7.1 acres), and Juru (5.6 acres). Authorities also confiscated over 1,960 acres of oil palm plantation land in Kuala Krai, Kelantan.
Luxury items seized included six vehicles — a Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover, BMW, Volvo, Toyota Land Cruiser, and Toyota Alphard — valued at over RM1.9 million, and five branded watches: a Patek Philippe, Tag Heuer, Rolex, Omega Speedmaster, and Omega Seamaster, together worth more than RM740,000.
It is understood that most of the luxury goods and assets belonged to a foreign national who owns a scrap metal company and lives in an upscale area of Batu Maung, which was also raided during Op Metal.
The businessman, said to hold a “Datuk” title, was abroad on business at the time of the raid but returned to Penang on July 16, after which his statement was recorded. — July 21, 2025