KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is facing civil litigation at the Shah Alam High Court after being accused of failing to return over RM30,000 in funds to a 55-year-old man, despite the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
Murugan Subramaniam filed his suit on November 11, naming the federal government, MACC, and the investigating officer as respondents.
In his affidavit, Murugan stated that he pled guilty to fraud charges at the Shah Alam Sessions Court in October 2023 and was fined RM50,000 in lieu of a 10-month prison sentence.
“On the same day, I paid the whole fine to the respondent and I was immediately released without any conditions,” Murugan said in his affidavit.
Murugan claimed that before his charges, his company accounts were frozen. Although he took steps to request the return of the funds after his case concluded, he stated that MACC had yet to return the money.
Additionally, Murugan alleged that the investigating officer from MACC encouraged him to forfeit the funds to the Malaysian government via WhatsApp conversations.
Screenshots included in Murugan’s affidavit showed communication with the investigating officer from January to July of this year, in which he demanded the return of his funds.
Murugan further claimed that he informed the officer that without access to his funds, he was unable to pay his lawyer’s fees for legal advice.
“I have also received warnings from the third respondent (investigating officer) that if I continued to be stubborn and proceed with my claim, MACC would have to reinitiate my previous criminal case and proceed with a full trial against me.
“I was advised by my lawyer that the third respondent’s actions who is acting as the first respondent’s (MACC) officer, went beyond their powers in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act 2009 when she sent a message in bad faith, warning me to discontinue my claims,” Murugan’s affidavit stated. — November 24, 2024