Malaysia raids firms in army procurement graft probe

[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency said on Monday (Dec 29) that it had carried out raids on several companies, allegedly involved in a graft case linked to an armed forces procurement project.

Six bank accounts, belonging to a still unidentified suspect and his family members, were seized as part of the investigation, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki said.

The investigation was being carried out under a law which relates to corporate liability for corruption, the MACC chief added.

“MACC officers conducted searches at several companies believed to be involved, to obtain relevant documents and evidence,” Azam said.

Azam did not give further details, but a source familiar with the investigation, who did not wish to be identified, told reporters that the probe is focusing on money allegedly ending up in the account of a senior army officer.

The raids took place after Malaysia’s top army officer, Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, was placed on immediate leave on Dec 27.

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Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that this was done to ensure that a probe against him proceeded smoothly “without any conflict of interest”.

Local media last week quoted sources saying that the graft investigators had recorded statements from three individuals, over alleged links to army procurement projects from 2023 to 2025. AFP