KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) mounted a morning raid on the residence of a businessman holding the title of Tan Sri yesterday, intensifying its investigations into alleged graft related to the procurement and management of the government’s vehicle fleet.
Sources told Scoop that this operation is a continuation of the MACC’s ongoing investigation initially initiated in July 2023.
Multiple affiliated companies were also subject to raids as part of the comprehensive MACC inquiry, the source said.
In 2020, the then Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir, revealed that since October 30, 1993, the concession for managing the Malaysian government’s vehicle fleet had been held by a sole limited company owned by the Tan Sri in question, under a concession agreement between the Malaysian government and the company.
The agreement, however, expired on December 31, 2018. Despite this, Ahmad Badri emphasised that future management of the government’s vehicle fleet would involve a transparent process.
The government decided that the concessionaire company should be selected through an open request for proposal (RFP), eliminating limited tenders or direct awards of tenders.
When contacted, both MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki and Investigation Division senior director Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim confirmed the raid, but declined further comments as investigations are still ongoing.
However it is understood the Tan Sri in question is a close associate of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, who himself is under MACC investigations over the source of his wealth. – January 20, 2024