Macc Raids Milk Processing Plant Companies In Cartel Probe

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 Chief commissioner Azam Baki says the operation was launched following new leads involving four suspects from the same family.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the raids were conducted to seize documents related to tenders to supply milk powder to a government department.PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has raided a milk processing plant and two companies suspected of being part of a cartel supplying substandard milk powder to a government department
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the operation was launched following new leads uncovered in investigations into four people from the same family, who were arrested under Op White yesterday.
He said the raids were conducted to seize documents related to milk powder supply contracts, including financial records.
“A preliminary investigation shows that most of the companies awarded government tenders have no expertise in food production, processing or distribution,” Berita Harian quoted him as saying.
“Their backgrounds range from being involved in furniture, electrical trade, property, and civil engineering businesses to being contractors and transport operators.
“Some of them raked in profits of between 10% and 50% from the milk powder supply.”
Yesterday, MACC’s special operations division, together with the Inland Revenue Board and Bank Negara Malaysia, raided three homes and a company in Kuala Lumpur.
During the raids, authorities froze 75 accounts – 24 belonging to individuals and 51 to companies – with a total of about RM174 million in assets.
The division’s senior director, Zamri Zainul Abidin, said MACC was also looking into the possibility of a monopoly in the supply of milk powder to several government departments.
So far, six individuals have had their statements recorded.
The investigation is being carried out under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009, the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and the Income Tax Act 1967. - FMT

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