MACC chief Azam Baki said this was due to several factors, including difficulties in identifying overseas assets belonging to Adlan and his lawyer, Mansoor Saat.

“It is of course difficult (to bring them back) although we have been tracking them for quite some time,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

Nonetheless, he said, the anti-graft agency had completed its investigation into alleged criminal breach of trust involving Adlan, the fugitive businessman.

Azam also said Adlan was likely using a foreign passport to travel abroad, since his Malaysian one had already been cancelled and barred from renewal.

Adlan and Mansoor are being sought by MACC to assist in an investigation into a project involving the registration, recruitment and storage of foreign worker biometric data at a ministry.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for Adlan while MACC has applied for a Red Notice from Interpol.

Recently, NST quoted a source as claiming that Adlan had been living a luxurious lifestyle in a Middle Eastern country after fleeing Malaysia more than two years ago.

Several photos allegedly showed Adlan with prominent figures from the region, including one featuring a portrait of a national leader of that country.

Adlan reportedly travelled in and out of the country frequently, including to Thailand, where he is said to play golf and visit shooting ranges.