Malaysia's anti-graft authorities to investigate radar equipment case

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said it would send an investigation team to Tanjung Pelepas Port in Johor to gather more information, before taking further action. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysian anti-graft authorities will investigate the radar equipment container which briefly went missing before it was discovered to have reached its destination in the Netherlands.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said it would send an investigation team to Tanjung Pelepas Port in Johor to gather more information, before taking further action.

"The team will evaluate the information it collects and identify if there was any element of bribery and abuse of power," the MACC said in a statement on Monday (July 3).

The Commission also stated that it would take statements of several Customs Department personnel to help with investigations.

"The MACC will also work together with police in their investigations into the case. The MACC, however, will only be focusing on investigating elements of bribery and abuse of power and will not interfere with police investigations," the statement added.

The Star had reported last week that the container of equipment had gone missing after it was detained at the port of Tanjung Pelepas Port in Johor.

It was reported that Customs Department officers detained the container, which was being shipped from Australia to the Netherlands because it did not have the proper permit, under the Strategic Trade Act 2010.

The permit is usually issued by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

Customs director-general Datuk T. Subromaniam in a brief statement last Thursday said that the container was never missing but had actually safely reached its destination at Rotterdam Port in the Netherlands.

He said the Department was carrying out an internal investigation if the standard operating procedures under the Strategic Trade Act were followed when releasing the goods.

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