Businessman arrested to assist in MYAirline co-founder financial crime probe
Tan Ai Leng
[KUALA LUMPUR] The investigation of the co-founder of crisis-hit Malaysian budget carrier MYAirline continues with another businessman arrested on Monday (Oct 23) morning to assist in the financial crime probe, after the airline’s abrupt suspension on Oct 12.
Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department, said the businessman, who is in his 40s, was detained by the police at his residence in Kuala Lumpur at 1 am on Monday, reported Bernama.
The police also seized 12 cars, six luxury watches and handbags, two laptops and 10 jewellery items, as well as documents for the investigation.
A remand application has been made on Monday morning, he added.
The businessman is one of the shareholders of e-commerce platform i-Serve Online Mall, which was also founded by Goh Hwan Hua – the major shareholder and co-founder of MYAirline.
Goh, his wife and son were arrested on Oct 17 on suspicion of financial crimes. The trio were remanded for four days to assist in investigations under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.
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His wife and son were released on police bail on Oct 21, but Goh’s remand was extended two more days till Monday.
In a statement on Oct 21, Ramli urged individuals who are related to the case to come forward to help in the investigation, as the authorities have “identified several individuals who can provide evidence related to the case”.
The Royal Malaysia Police are also in the process of freezing over 15 accounts which are believed to be related to the case.
Goh and his wife were also involved in investigations related to i-Serve Online Mall, which is believed to have been involved in various offences, including money laundering.
i-Serve Online Mall and six other related companies were slapped with a fine of RM50 million (S$14.4 million) by Bank Negara in October last year, for accepting deposits without a licence between June 2018 and September 2021.
Goh held over 99 per cent of MYAirline shares through Zillion Wealth and Trillion Cove. The low-cost carrier announced on Facebook that it was halting operations, citing financial pressures, just 10 months after commencing its operations.
Around 125,000 people holding MYAirline tickets worth more than RM20 million for travel until March 2024 have been left in the lurch due to the abrupt suspension.
The interim accountable executive Azharuddin Abdul Rahman earlier said the company has been actively exploring a new strategic partnership to resume operations, but no timeline was given.
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