MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said statements have been recorded from 39 individuals in connection with the case, codenamed Op Sky, Bernama reported.

The anti-graft agency opened the investigation following complaints about bribery involving banking institution officials who allegedly facilitated and approved personal loan applications for a financial consultancy company.

“A total of 18 individuals have been identified and will be called soon to have their statements recorded,” he was quoted as saying.

He explained that the commission needs more time to complete the probe.

According to Azam, the MACC is also collaborating with several banks to obtain relevant documents related to loans taken by identified clients.

On Thursday, the MACC recorded statements from three celebrities linked to the financial consultancy company after they were suspected of receiving payments of up to RM400,000 over one to two years as brand ambassadors for promotional purposes.

Last month, the MACC’s anti-money laundering division, in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), arrested 12 individuals in raids at 24 locations, including residences and offices around the Klang Valley.

To date, 27 individuals have been arrested, including bank officers and employees of the financial consultancy firm involved in the loan fraud syndicate. All of them have been released on MACC bail.

During the operation, MACC seized about 4,000 documents and froze 98 bank accounts involving more than RM17 million.