The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has reignited its investigation into the controversial purchase of Scorpene submarines from a French company following the discovery of new leads. This renewed probe zeroes in on the suspected embezzlement of RM42 million, part of the RM530 million paid for support services under the submarine acquisition contract.
Sources indicate that a local company, which had been appointed to facilitate the contract, is now under MACC scrutiny. It is alleged that this company made significant payments to various entities without the board of directors' knowledge. These payments, totaling RM42 million, are believed to have been funneled into companies owned by relatives of individuals within the company.
The MACC has already identified key individuals linked to these transactions and has previously recorded their statements. In light of these new findings, the commission plans to summon additional witnesses to further assist with the investigation.
According to sources, the MACC never officially closed the Scorpene case, and the investigation was reactivated based on these recent discoveries. In April, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki reiterated that the probe into the 2002 submarine purchase remains active. He emphasized ongoing communication with international entities to obtain critical information regarding specific transactions.
"The case is in progress, and we continue to communicate with foreign entities to obtain detailed information about certain transactions," Azam stated.
The Scorpene submarine purchase has been a subject of controversy since 2010, with allegations of corruption and kickbacks. The deal, initially overseen by a former prime minister during his tenure as defense minister, involved the acquisition of two Scorpene-type submarines and one Agosta-type submarine from the French naval shipyard unit DCN (now part of Thales), valued at nearly £1 billion (USD $1.17 billion).
As the MACC delves deeper into these new leads, the public awaits further developments in a case that has long been shrouded in allegations of high-level corruption. The renewed investigation underscores the MACC's commitment to uncovering the truth behind one of Malaysia's most notorious defense procurement scandals.
By: Kpost
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