EX-SPY BOSS ARRESTED
MACC picks up PMD’s intelligence head to probe into missing GE14 funds
MACC has arrested former top intelligence officer Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid in connection with the alleged misappropriation of US$12 million (RM49 million) from the government’s coffers — funds meant for GE14. Hasanah, who headed the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation, is expected to be remanded today.
YESTERDAY, SEVEN OFFICERS FROM THE AGENCY WERE REMANDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CASE
GRAFTBUSTERS have picked up the former top intelligence officer serving the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD) to help shed light on missing millions, allegedly from funds meant for the 14th General Election (GE14).
Sources told the New Straits Times that the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) investigators took Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid, 61, who headed the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO), formally known as the Research Department of the PMD, into custody at 4.15pm yesterday.
The NST has learnt that investigators took Hasanah into custody to assist in probes into the RM49 million allegedly siphoned from the government’s coffers.
Hasanah earlier presented herself at the MACC headquarters here to have her statement recorded. She was recently embroiled in a controversy surrounding a letter sent to the Central Intelligence Agency, headquartered in Langley, Virginia, supposedly urging Washington to back Barisan Nasional in the event of a slim victory in the last polls.
Hasanah is expected to be produced in court today for remand to facilitate probes under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for “abuse of power for gratification”.
Police had, on Monday, arrested Hasanah’s deputy, along with six others, from the same office, in relation to the missing millions.
They are administrative and diplomatic services (PTD) officers between Grades 44 and 48.
It is learnt that her arrest followed the MACC investigators’ initial questioning of the seven.
This was also when the graftbusters learnt about the missing RM4 million.
The six suspects were arrested at their office, while the senior officer was held at the MACC headquarters. It is understood that initial investigations revealed that Hasanah and the seven had abused the funds for personal gains.
MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests.
Magistrate Shah Wira Abdul Halim allowed for the seven to be remanded for five days till Saturday.
Earlier this month, another group, comprising security personnel serving the PMD, were remanded for allegedly misappropriating funds totalling RM3.5 million, also said to be for the May 9 national polls.
They were said to have taken the money from an office in the PMD.