KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized jewellery worth an estimated RM2.3 million, believed to be proceeds of corruption from a counter-setting syndicate.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki revealed that the majority of the illicit funds were used to purchase gold bars and jewellery, including chains, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
“The total value of the jewellery seized is approximately RM2.3 million,” he confirmed on Sunday, as quoted by Sinar Harian.
The operation also led to the confiscation of seven vehicles, various branded bags, mobile phones, a plot of land, and other items.
Azam also stated that investigations are ongoing into the arrest of a married couple, both immigration officers.
At this stage, he noted, there was no indication that any other enforcement officers involved had purchased jewellery from the couple.
On Saturday, it was reported that the investigation had uncovered that the couple used the name of the woman’s sister and their child as proxies to establish a jewellery business, investing around RM600,000.
The couple, both in their 40s, have been remanded for five days, with their detention set to end on September 14 at the Ayer Keroh Magistrate’s Court in Melaka.
MACC’s Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations), Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, disclosed that over a period of four years, starting in 2020, the suspects had accumulated approximately RM900,000. This sum was used to open the jewellery store, with the remainder spent on a luxury car.
A raid on the jewellery store in Pahang uncovered gold estimated to weigh around three kilograms, worth approximately RM1.4 million.
The suspects are reportedly involved in a programme designed to help employers secure legal work permits for undocumented foreign workers, which requires employers to submit their workers’ files for initial review by the enforcement division. – September 14, 2025