A NUMBER of the 23 companies issued compounds by the anti-graft agency today in its bid to recoup stolen 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds are media consultancy firms, content creators and event organisers, underscoring the use of social media and propaganda by former prime minister Najib Razak to influence voters.

The companies (listed below) were issued compounds by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) to pay as fines the amounts they received from an account belonging to Najib.

The companies are among 80 entities, including individuals, political parties and public organisations, who have been compounded. Here are a few mentioned: 

Solar Shine Sdn Bhd

Event management company Solar Shine Sdn Bhd has been asked to pay back the highest sum – RM134 million. 

The company’s name surfaced in the Kuala Lumpur High Court during Najib’s SRC International Sdn Bhd corruption trial as the recipient of a RM1 million cheque signed by Najib in 2015 to promote his 1Malaysia campaign to non-Malays.

Solar Shine’s Lew Choon Lai had testified as a prosecution witness that the company had provided goodie bags of daily necessities that were distributed to rural Indians and elderly Chinese voters as part of promoting the 1Malaysia concept.

He said the company had also organised dinners for Barisan Nasional, providing the people, musicians, t-shirts and lucky draws.

The company’s directors and shareholders have been named as Muhammad Zaki Ilias and Mazlan Saidin in previous news reports.

Semarak Konsortium Satu Sdn Bhd

According to credit bureau company RAM Credit Information Sdn Bhd, Semarak Konsortium was incorporated in November 2010 and lists “investment holdings” as its business.

Centre for Strategic Engagement Sdn Bhd (Cense) 

Cense director Rita Sim had testified in court in Najib’s SRC International trial, admitting that the consultancy firm was paid RM150,000 a month to help the Prime Minister’s Office monitor Chinese newspapers for issues affecting the community. The firm received payment for two months, totalling RM300,000.

She also told the court that one of Najib’s right-hand men, the late Rompin MP Jamaluddin Mohd Jarjis, had engaged the firm.

Cense Media

Sim is also CEO and director of Cense Media, which held the licence for two radio stations, KUPIKUPI 96.3FM in Sabah and CITY Plus 106FM in Seremban and 92.5 FM in Kuching.

Two other directors of Cense Media are Fui K. Soong, who was previously director of MCA think-tank, Insap, and former New Straits Times managing editor Rose Ismail, who is also advisor at Salt Media Consultancy Sdn Bhd, another firm issued a compound by the MACC.

Zeal Hi-Tech Solutions Sdn Bhd

The IT services and production company is said to have received RM13.5 million, according to an expose by whistleblower website Sarawak Report. Its work was to generate social media messages.

Media Link Direct

According to Sarawak Report also, Media Link Direct received five payments between March and April 2013 totalling RM10.5 million to generate content on social media.

Warisan Research PLT

Former PKR parliamentarian Rafizi Ramli, who also did whistleblowing work, named this company as having received RM1 million from Najib’s bank account in July 2014. 

The firm is believed to have done social media campaigns, based on the LinkedIn description of one Noryusmiza Abu Nasir, who worked as its senior researcher from November 2013 to February 2015. His LinkedIn profile describes his work at Warisan Research PLT as social media analysis and content creation. Noryusmiza is also an active member of the Titiwangsa Umno division and had served as its executive secretary.

Vital Spire Sdn Bhd

This firm was mentioned by a witness, Onn Hafiz Ghazi, in Najib’s SRC International trial, as the company that ran the now-defunct news portal Malaysian Digest.

Onn Hafiz had told the court that Vital Spire received RM240,000 payment on behalf of the portal in 2015.

Onn Hafiz, who is the nephew of Umno politician Hishammuddin Hussein and great-grandson of Umno founder Onn Jaafar, said in the trial that the firm was instructed by Najib to set up Malaysian Digest to “disseminate news”.

Qalif Umar Creative

A check online showed that this publishing firm published the book “Transformasi Najib” in 2011.

Red Bag Industry Sdn Bhd

This bag supplier was named by Sarawak Report as receiving payments totalling RM13.28 million before the 2013 general election. A check with business directories online showed that the company customises and supplies travel bags, laptop bags, backpacks, school bags.

23 companies compounded by MACC:

1. Solar Shine Sdn Bhd
2. Semarak Konsortium Satu Sdn Bhd
3. Zeal Hi-Tech Solutions Sdn Bhd
4. Media Link Direct
5. Red Bag Industry Sdn Bhd
6. Centre for Strategic Engagement Sdn Bhd
7. Theora Niaga
8. Transformasi Kreatif
9. Cape Glory Sdn Bhd
10. Warisan Research PLT
11. Vital Spire Sdn Bhd
12. Qalif Umar Creative
13. Alpha Theora Sdn Bhd
14. Mashi Publications Sdn Bhd
15. Decision Advisors (M) Sdn Bhd
16. D’Khairan Sdn Bhd
17. Angeliva Corporation Sdn Bhd
18. Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia Bhd
19. Fanisa Consultancy & Services
20. Airmarine (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
21. Virtual Palace Sdn Bhd
22. Salt Media Consultancy Sdn Bhd
23. Cense Media Sdn Bhd. – October 7, 2019.