All recipients of summonses given 2 weeks to pay up the amount stated

by AFIQ AZIZ/ pic by ARIF KARTONO

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has issued 80 compound notices to individuals, foundations, companies and political parties, including prominent politicians, as the agency steps up efforts to recover RM420 million believed to have been laundered from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Those issued the notices included former Johor Baru MP Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, Pontian MP and former Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, former CIMB Group Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Nazir Razak who is also former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak’s brother and Tan Sri Mohamad Fatmi Che Salleh, Najib’s former political secretary.

Similar notices were also issued to political parties, a majority are Umno divisions and the party’s offices, as well as Barisan Nasional component parties. Altogether, 43 notices were issued by the graft-buster to political parties closely linked to the former Umno president.

The recovery compounds were also issued to 23 companies, individuals (9) and foundations or organisations (5).

Chief commissioner Latheefa Koya (picture) said the individuals and organisations are largely linked or affiliated to the former PM.

She said all the recipients of the summonses are given two weeks to pay up the amount stated in the compound notices.

Latheefa said those who failed to pay the compounds can be prosecuted under Section 92 of Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 (AMLATFA).

“Our investigation showed that the money that they received, and that we are now seeking back by way of the compounds, are the money from 1MDB and belongs to Malaysians.

“The total amount is roughly about RM420 million. As for the individuals, we are looking at someone who received as low as RM500,000 and as high as RM25 million.

“For an entity (organisation), it is up to RM134 million,” she said this when revealing the list in Putrajaya yesterday.

Latheefa said the recipients had received the money via cheques and the agency had confirmed that the money had been credited to the individual, organisation, company or party’s accounts.

Latheefa said the agency is optimistic of recovering much of the money.

“The fine will be as low as the amount they have received or as high as 2.5 times the amount they received. We hope to recover as much as we can.

“It’s up to them to pay the fine, failing which, we will use the full authority of the law allowed in the Act to take the necessary action,” she said.

The notices were sent to the recipients yesterday.

Ahmad, who was a former deputy finance minister during Najib’s reign as the PM, had denied MACC’s allegation and will seek legal advice.

Latheefa yesterday revealed that Solar Shine Sdn Bhd, an event organiser, received the highest amount of RM134 million.

Solar Shine was linked to activities promoting 1MDB to non-Malays, according to statements recorded during Najib’s RM42 million money-laundering trial.

Foundations and organisations listed by MACC and linked to receiving 1MDB’s money included Federal Territory Koperasi Belia 1Malaysia, MASCOM Communications, IPF Building Fund and Pengerang Community and Recreational Body.

“We hope that by the time they receive this compound notice, they will take it seriously and pay up,” Latheefa said, adding that the recipients can ask for an extension if they feel the time is insufficient.

In June, MACC filed civil forfeiture suits against 41 recipients and entities to recover RM270 million related to 1MDB.

Latheefa said the civil forfeitures were issued as the money was still in the accounts of the accused.

“In this particular case (compound notices), it is allowed under Section 92, if someone has committed an offence under AMLATFA, we have the power to actually issue compound notices against the people who have received the money and they are given a certain time, from the time of compound notice (to return the money),” she added.