KUALA LUMPUR: Corruption cases took centre stage this year, with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) coming down hard on graft.
The New Straits Times takes a look at the five biggest corruption cases in the country over the year.
FASHIONVALET PROBE
In 2018, Khazanah Nasional Bhd invested RM27 million, and Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) RM20 million for minority stakes in FashionValet Sdn Bhd.
However, these stakes were later sold for just RM3.1 million.
Following outcry over the "fire sale", FashionValet founder Datin Vivy Yusof and her husband, Datuk Fadzaruddin Shah Anuar, announced on Nov 1 that they would relinquish their positions at FashionValet over issues surrounding the sale.
Shortly after, the MACC launched a probe into the RM43.9 million investment loss, noting that the funds involved were public funds.
The couple went through an extended statement recording process, lasting nearly a week, and several documents were seized during investigations at the Finance Ministry, Khazanah, PNB and FashionValet's headquarters.
On Dec 5, the couple claimed trial to charges of criminal breach of trust involving RM8 million.
MIGRANT-SMUGGLING SYNDICATE SMASHED
On Aug 21, the MACC dismantled a syndicate responsible for smuggling foreign nationals from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Nepal into Malaysia through unofficial entry points.
The operation allegedly involved several enforcement officers who acted as informants, facilitating entry for these individuals without following required inspection procedures.
Foreign nationals were supposed to comply with Immigration Circular No. 4, 2021, which mandates presenting a valid passport or documentation, holding a visa, having a valid return ticket, possessing sufficient funds for their stay and providing accommodation details.
However, these requirements were allegedly overlooked through the special counters used by the syndicate.
MACC investigations led to nationwide operations to expose and dismantle a criminal network, resulting in the arrests of 50 Immigration officers and 10 syndicate agents linked to the racket to date.
Two Immigration Department officers accused of masterminding the operation are expected to be charged by early next year.
MBI GRAFT SCANDAL
On Oct 12, foreign currency valued at RM5 million was discovered by MACC officers during a raid on an apartment in Kuala Lumpur, which was allegedly used as a "safehouse" for an influential politician.
The move followed the arrests of two individuals, including a former senior executive at the Selangor Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI), in connection with an investigation into a multi-million ringgit corruption scandal related to a sand-mining concession under the state investment arm's subsidiary.
The commission froze millions of ringgit worth of assets as part of its investigation into the scandal, with investigators still detecting stocks believed to have been received through bribes kept in various companies.
SABAH MINING SCANDAL
On Nov 9, news began to spread about an individual demanding whistleblower protection after claiming to possess video recordings of Sabah state assembly members discussing bribes.
MACC confirmed that a lawyer who represented the man met with the graft busters' senior officers at the agency's headquarters on Oct 30 where they discussed the purported evidence.
To date, the MACC has questioned 15 people, including the whistleblower, in its investigations into a minerals exploration scandal in the state.
MACC said a report was lodged against the whistleblower, which allegedly claimed he was in cahoots with one government officer from Sabah over mineral exploration.
The MACC is currently investigating two cases — one involving the whistleblower and the other on state assembly members.
DIESEL SMUGGLING RING SMASHED
On Aug 26, two siblings who were both petrol station operators were remanded for four days over their alleged involvement in a subsidised diesel smuggling syndicate.
The duo were also alleged to have bribed enforcement officers to avoid legal action.
They were arrested alongside two men and a woman during Op Liter, conducted by the MACC with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry at a diesel storage depot in Sungai Bidut, Sarawak.
A raid also led to the seizure of 1.6 million litres of diesel and RM3.7 million in cash.
The MACC has so far frozen a total of RM36 million in bank accounts belonging to a gas station operator and two enforcement officers in its investigation.