MACC hit by red tape in Taib probe

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is being probed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for alleged abuse of power in his position as Sarawak  chief minister.

By Lee Shi-Lan, NST

A source familiar with the case revealed that investigations began at the end of last year following several reports against Taib, including allegedly possessing properties in excess of his emolument and alleged abuse of power as the CM.

Senior MACC officers declined to reveal the exact nature of investigations against Taib, saying it would be improper and would jeopardise their work.
“Investigations are being hampered by the fact that many transactions were carried out abroad and there are problems obtaining the necessary documents and information from foreign agencies,” one source said.

The Sarawak MACC is conducting investigations into the properties owned by Taib in the state and elsewhere in the country.

MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed had confirmed on Thursday that Taib was being probed over allegations of corruption.

Taib was also being investigated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (Finma) after the President of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, passed the matter to them.

Finma normally investigates cases of money laundering in Switzerland, with emphasis on fighting corruption and the restitution of embezzled funds to respective countries.