SHIPPING FIRM OFFICERS UNDER PROBE FOR GRAFT INVOLVING RM108.5M
They allegedly made false claims for vessel maintenance
THE Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) is investigating several officers of a local shipping company over allegations they were involved in graft and abuse of power to the tune of US$27.8 million (RM108.5 million).
MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki said the commission had received information that several officers had colluded with contractors to submit fake claims for the maintenance of several of the company’s vessels.
He said the claims were purportedly for work between 2010 and 2013, that was, in fact, not carried out.
“Acting on information received, MACC officers raided the company’s offices in the federal capital and Johor on Feb 28. In these raids, we recorded statements from nine people, including four senior officers of the company, and seized several documents,” he said in a statement.
Azam said the allegations being investigated included claims for the repair of a tanker vessel for US$15.8 million in 2012, when the initial estimate was half the amount.
He said MACC was also investigating allegations that maintenance costs of vessels owned by the company caused US$12 million in losses because the process of appointing contractors did not follow procedures.
“In fact, our initial investigations show that there are also allegations that (part of the losses came from) the relationship between a suspect and a paint supplier in Singapore.”