MACC quizzes six in military radar equipment probe

PUTRAJAYA: Six individuals comprising auxilliary police personnel and officers of the Royal Customs Department were summoned for questioning yesterday by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the unauthorised release of a Holland-bound consignment of high-tech military radar from the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Johor Baru last month.

The personnel, aged between 37 and 48, showed up at the Johor MACC headquarters at 11am yesterday.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki said the commission is in the midst of ascertaining if there were elements of power abuse and corruption in the case.

“We may call up more people for questioning if necessary. If our findings show there were such elements involved, we will take stern action,” he warned.

The MACC is also examining documents relevant to the case obtained from the PTP authorities.

Johor police chief Commissioner Datuk Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said police have also summoned several people for questioning over the case.

“We have not detained anyone but have called up several individuals for questioning. I have spoken to the officers of the task force probing the case and have asked them to expedite investigations,” he told theSun.

The case is being probed by the Johor commercial crimes investigations department for criminal breach of trust under Section 408 of the Penal Code.

The military radar equipment, which arrived from Australia and bound for Holland, was on transit at the PTP and was initially reported as “missing” from the port.

However, it was later found to have arrived at its destination.

Under the Strategic Trade Act 2010, such consignments required a permit from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry before being allowed to leave Malaysia.