By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Sept 20: Three former members of Koperasi Automobil Kuching Sarawak Bhd (Kokas) are being investigated for embezzling RM3.4 million of federal government allocation.
Bukit Aman IGP Secretariat Anti-Money Laundering Division Chief SAC Dato’ Khalil Azlan Chik, in a press conference today, disclosed that the three suspects were the former chairman, secretary and treasurer of Kokas who had, between 2012 and 2017, gradually embezzled a sum of RM3.4 million out of the total RM 7.5 million meant for the cooperative’s Automotive Workshop Modernisation Programme and Retail Shop Transformation Programme.
“An investigation paper under Section 409 of the Penal Code (Criminal Breach of Trust) has been opened on Sept 21, 2018 by the Commercial Crime and Investigation Department (CCID) for the case,” he said.
“Following that, another investigation under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001 has also been initiated, involving 57 individuals and eight entities connected to the Kokas embezzlement,” he added.
He said the police had on Aug 22 this year raided six premises including homes of the three suspects in and around Kuching, and seized all items and assets which was obtained through unlawful means.
“All of these assets obtained through unlawful means have been seized and suspects’ bank accounts (had been) frozen,” he said.
Khalil revealed the monies and assets seized were worth about RM6.2 million, which included RM2.95 million cash from 71 bank accounts, 16 vehicles worth RM763,000, 13 properties worth about RM2.3 million, and other luxury items including branded handbags and lose cash worth RM90,650.
He added that all the assets seized and accounts frozen were still being investigated under Section 4(1) of the AMLATFPUAA 2001. — DayakDaily
