Probe papers on meat cartel suspects submitted
JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has submitted investigation papers on suspects linked to the meat cartel to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC) for further action.
Johor MACC director Datuk Azmi Alias said the papers were submitted two weeks ago.
“We are waiting for a decision from the A-GC on whether there is a need for us to investigate further or for the suspects to be charged.”
He said 12 suspects had been arrested in connection with the case, including civil servants, company directors and agents.
“Besides us, other agencies like the police, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services are also investigating.”
He was speaking after the launch of the MACC Anti-Corruption CD by MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Seri Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil.
It was reported that the cartel has been importing non-certified meat and selling it as halal in Malaysia.
The cartel has reportedly been operating for more than 40 years by importing meat from non-halal-certified slaughterhouses in a few countries, such as Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Spain and Mexico.
The meat would be taken to warehouses and mixed with halal-certified meat and repackaged with fake halal logos, then sold in the market.
On another matter, Azmi said the MACC had also submitted investigation papers to the A-GC on claims by PKR’s Sekijang member of parliament Natrah Ismail that she was offered a RM10 million bribe to switch parties.
“We are waiting for a decision from the A-GC. Four witnesses were called for the investigation, including Natrah.”
Earlier this month, Natrah claimed she was approached to switch parties and support Perikatan Nasional and Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
She claimed that she was approached by two people, including someone with a Datuk Seri title, asking if she was interested in supporting Muhyiddin and promised benefits in return.
She lodged a report on the matter at the Segamat MACC branch office.