The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) crippled a tyre smuggling syndicate through raids at 23 separate locations in the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor, via Ops Grip, yesterday.
The MACC also froze several private and company accounts worth RM70 million, which are also suspected of being involved in activities falsifying import and export documents, causing tax losses to the country reaching RM350 million since 2020.
“The raids were carried out through the integrated operation Ops Grip, led by the Special Operations Division (BOK) with the cooperation of the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM).
“The operation involved 23 locations around the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor, involving companies engaged in the business of importing tyres, as well as warehouses and containers for storing tyres,” a statement said today.
Sources said the investigation is also focused on efforts to track and seize other assets acquired through money laundering activities involving the syndicate.
It is understood that the seizures also involved used tyres that do not meet standards, which are feared could compromise consumer safety and are merely waiting for an accident to happen, akin to a ‘ticking time bomb’.
Meanwhile, the Senior Director of the MACC’s Special Operations Division, Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, confirmed the raids.
“The investigation is being conducted under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001).
“The MACC will not compromise with any party that tries to profit through corruption, money laundering, and smuggling, which cause losses to the country,” he said.
