MACC confirms RM1.2 million cash seizure in probe on PKR man linked to ex-minister

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed a report by MalaysiaNow that its officers had seized cash amounting to RM1.2 million during an investigation into a politician linked to a minister under the Pakatan Harapan government.

In a statement, the anti-graft body said the cash was kept at a house and an office belonging to a proxy to Perak PKR deputy chairman MA Tinagaran and former water, land and natural resources minister Xavier Jayakumar.

It also confirmed that two company directors were arrested over projects awarded to them, as well as the freezing of some RM77 million in several bank accounts.

MACC’s statement however did not name Tinagaran or Xavier.

“A luxury car used by the former minister as his official vehicle, believed to belong to one of the directors of the company awarded the project, was also seized,” the statement said.

This comes in the wake of denials by PKR leaders and Xavier today over a report by MalaysiaNow, quoting sources who said the investigation was related to sand-mining deals, which came under the purview of the ministry Xavier headed.

Xavier today said Tinagaran, who has been remanded, was not an aide, but a “close family friend”.

Meanwhile, Perak PKR chairman Farhash Wafa Salvador, who is also the political secretary of party supremo Anwar Ibrahim, had urged action over MalaysiaNow’s report for spreading “fake news”.

Farhash had disputed MalaysiaNow’s report on the confiscation of RM1.2 million in cash, saying only RM17,000 was seized.

MACC in its statement today said investigations remain ongoing.

“MACC hopes all quarters will not make any speculation on the investigation,” it added.