MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the company had facilitated loans for individuals who were not eligible to borrow money from financial institutions.
He also said that borrowers – mostly government officers – were allegedly advised to reinvest in the company, raising concerns about potential illegal deposit-taking.
“This is another issue we are looking at to determine whether it constitutes another offence under the law,” he told a press conference at MACC’s headquarters here today.
Azam also said the anti-graft agency has frozen RM80 million in assets belonging to the company as part of its investigation into the syndicate, codenamed Op Sky.
On Jan 21, it was reported that MACC had frozen RM22 million in assets in its investigation into the case, involving 98 bank accounts in six banks.
On the matter of the three celebrities summoned to provide their statements to MACC today, Azam said their accounts have not been frozen.
“These three were influencers for the company. We want to understand why the company used celebrities to promote its financial packages, particularly to government workers,” he said, adding that every angle must be assessed.
It was previously reported that these celebrities received payments ranging from RM150,000 to RM400,000 over one to two years for endorsing the firm.
Payments were also made by the firm to sponsor concerts and commission custom-written songs on behalf of the syndicate.
At least 27 people, including eight company directors and 18 bank officers, have been arrested by MACC’s anti-money laundering division in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia.
MACC reviewing DBKL advisory board documents
Separately, Azam said MACC is reviewing documents provided by Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Sharif in connection with allegations of misconduct involving a member of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) advisory board linked to the award of a RM4 million project.
Azam said MACC had received minutes of meetings and other documents from DBKL’s internal investigation, which it will assess to determine whether any criminal offences under its jurisdiction were committed or if the matter falls under governance issues.
“I assure you that if corruption is detected, an investigation will be launched immediately. However, I have also instructed the (MACC’s) governance division to conduct its own review,” he said.
For now, nobody has been called in for questioning, including actor and director Afdlin Shauki, who was previously linked to the case.
“We are still analysing the documents. If we find evidence of any wrongdoing, then we will consider calling in those involved,” Azam said.
He added that an update on the case, including whether an investigation paper will be opened, will be provided on Monday.