Reputable firms may be involved in meat cartel scandal, says MACC

Reputable firms may be involved in meat cartel scandal, says MACC

Its chief Azam Baki says the anti-graft agency will also probe claims illegal activities have been going on for 40 years.

Customs officers inspect meat stored at a warehouse of a frozen food supplier raided by authorities on Dec 2. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR:
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is not ruling out the involvement of reputable companies in the smuggling of frozen meat into the country.

Its chief commissioner Azam Baki said an investigation would be carried out to prove the involvement of certain parties in the recently exposed meat cartel case.

“If it already involves the cartel as alleged, we believe there must be a ‘tycoon’ or a reputable company involved in this matter. MACC will investigate and no one will be spared.

“However, the name of the company or tycoon believed to be involved cannot be revealed because the case is still under investigation.

“Allegations that this has been going on for 40 years also need to be thoroughly investigated first. It is not fair to make assumptions and as such, the MACC will look at the data obtained to confirm the matter,” he said on a talk show on a private television network last night.

The media previously reported on the activities of a cartel involved in smuggling frozen meat from several countries before repackaging it using the halal logo for the local market.

The syndicate is also said to have offered bribes to some government employees, including senior officials of certain agencies, as an inducement to pass inspections at the entry points.

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