MACC: Return funds, or else

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) has urged the holders of the 408 bank accounts that were frozen in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) probe to voluntarily surrender funds they had received from the state-owned investment firm, or face action.

MACC chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull said yesterday the account holders should come forward and meet investigators immediately.

“If they meet us, we will show them proof of them receiving such funds and we will ask them to return it voluntarily. If they fail to do so, then we will take action and use the law to recover the money,” he said after launching a book authored by Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Akhbar Satar titled Corruption and Crime in Malaysia – Perception or Reality?

On whether notice was given befor the accounts were frozen, he said: “There is no need for us to give notice when we find funds we suspect are from 1MDB. If we do, the funds will be gone (before we can act).”

Mohd Shukri said it is likely that more bank accounts will be frozen, including those maintained overseas.

Akhbar said his book, that also covers the 1MDB scandal up until May this year, gives an insight on crime and corruption in the country.

The book, that took him two years to write, is available at bookstores such as Borders, MPH, Popular and Kinokuniya at RM45 per copy. – by Charles Ramendran and Cornall Kavanagh