RM10mil recovered from PCSB graft probe

Petronas subsidiary’s funds used for luxury purchases

PETALING JAYA: Anti-graft officers have recovered over RM10mil in the ongoing probe involving Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB).

Sources said RM1.35mil in cash was found at several locations in follow- up operations while RM8.896mil was traced to several bank accounts.

It is learnt that all the money will be either seized or frozen in the probe.

Investigations also showed that millions of ringgit belonging to PCSB had been used to make high-end purchases, including houses, high-powered motorcycles and five cars – all paid for in cash – as well as to invest in foreign currencies and for holidays overseas.

Last week, six people were rounded up in a sting operation over the PCSB graft probe.

Among them was a 45-year-old project delivery manager with PCSB, which engages in oil and gas exploration and production services.

All six are believed to have collaborated in submitting three falsified invoices between April and June 2015, amounting to US$5.56mil (RM23.9mil).

The invoices were an inflated amount for a drilling rig project but no work was ever carried out.

However, PCSB had made full payment to the company.

On the ongoing crackdown against illegal logging in Pahang and Terengganu under Ops Timba, anti-graft officers also seized RM13.7mil from the suspects.

So far, eight people have been arrested in both states.

Five of them –a Jerantut Forestry Department officer and his wife, a forestry ranger and two owners of a logging company – were suspected of having offered or received bribes so that action would not be taken against illegal logging in Jerantut.

The other three picked up in Terengganu were two logging firm owners along with a lorry driver tasked with transporting the logs.

On Monday, The Star frontpaged a report that the MACC would be launching a major operation to catch the culprits for ravaging the environment for personal gains.