THE anti-corruption agency is monitoring more individuals, including dignitaries, as part of an ongoing investigation where a prominent businessman had already been arrested, his accounts frozen and premises raided.

Sources said the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) is keeping an eye on more individuals as part of the special task force-led Ops 82S.

MACC had already arrested three individuals, including the businessman, last Monday. They were released after remand.

Sources in the agency said as of today, as much as RM38.2 million in several accounts belonging to the businessmen had been frozen.

“To assist the investigation, about three gold shops suspected to belong to the businessman were also raided.

“Some 24 witnesses have had their statements recorded and the businessman’s mobile phones and luxury watches have also been confiscated,” a source told The Malaysian Insight.

According to sources, so far the total assets seized from the businessman and his two other associates involved RM211 million.

Sources also said the businessman was found to be evading taxes estimated to be worth tens of millions of ringgit per year as a result of his export and import business, on top of suspected smuggling of prohibited substances.

“The businessman is also suspected of opening several business networks under one company he founded in 2020 to launder the proceeds he obtained through dubious means.

“The main business undertaken is producing movies, gold business and money-changing.

“The businessman is also believed to invest by bringing famous artists from abroad with the aim of promoting his business,” said a source.

In addition, he said, the businessman used the money-changing business as a platform for him to create layers (layering) of the proceeds of the illegal activity.

The Malaysian Insight reported yesterday that three individuals, including a businessman with the title of Datuk, were arrested through the special operation Op 82S of the Malaysian Enforcement Agencies-Multi Agency Task Force (MATF) led by MACC in 34 locations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor last Monday.

An estimated amount of cash of approximately RM38 million was confiscated, in addition to gold weighing approximately 200kg worth approximately RM60 million and 17 luxury cars including Maserati, Ferrari and Mercedes Benz.

Op 82S is the first case conducted under the MATF Task Force chaired by the attorney-general.

This operation is also carried out in collaboration with six other enforcement agencies namely police, the Immigration Department, Customs Department, Bank Negara Malaysia, Inland Revenue Board and Cyber Security Malaysia.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, who confirmed the arrest, said the case is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009, the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Illegal Activities Act 2001, Taxation Act 1967 and Customs Act 1967.

Earlier today, businessman Abdul Malik Dasthigeer confirmed he is under MACC investigation but expressed confidence he will be cleared of wrongdoing.

“I have been called up by the MACC and I have fully cooperated throughout the investigation,” Malik said in a video on Facebook.

Malik, better known as Malik Stream, is the founder and chairman of the Malik Group of Companies, which consists of Malik Streams Corporation Sdn Bhd, Malik Maju Sdn Bhd, Malik Streams Properties Sdn Bhd, Malik Streams Antenna Movies Sdn Bhd, and Malik Streams Production & Distribution. – July 28, 2023.