KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating a major massage parlour chain with 32 outlets nationwide over alleged bribery of enforcement officers and an estimated RM7.56 million in annual tax leakage.
In a TikTok post, the MACC said its Special Operations Division, together with the Inland Revenue Board, is probing the chain, which has been operating since 2023, for allegedly running a two-tier accounting system that concealed most cash sales from tax authorities.
Investigators also uncovered suspected payments to enforcement officers and local authorities to facilitate operations and provide protection, the MACC said, adding that several individuals have been identified and further action is underway.
The MACC has frozen 121 bank accounts linked to the company and related individuals, involving an estimated RM11.5 million. It has also seized assets believed to be proceeds of money laundering, including five luxury vehicles worth about RM1.5 million.
“In addition, five commercial properties valued at RM7.3 million, two industrial properties worth RM2.3 million, and seven residential units estimated at RM7.7 million in the Klang Valley and Johor have been frozen.
“So far, 12 witness statements have been recorded,” the graft buster said in a statement, according to Bernama.
Five suspects, comprising company directors and senior management staff aged between 30 and their 50s, were remanded after appearing before Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Four were remanded until Jan 31, while one was remanded until Jan 30. All were arrested on Tuesday in the Klang Valley and Johor.
MACC Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin confirmed that the operation is ongoing, with investigations focusing on offences under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009, as well as money laundering and other criminal elements.– January 29, 2026