PUTRAJAYA, June 9 — More than RM39 million in bank accounts, including those belonging to a former senior minister, two businessmen with the title ‘Tan Sri’ and their family members, have been frozen following an investigation into the misappropriation of national funds amounting to RM2.3 billion.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said it involved 192 bank accounts, including 35 company accounts and 157 individual accounts.

It said that it has also recorded the statements of the two individuals with the title of ‘Tan Sri’, in addition to conducting searches at the residences and related premises involving a former senior minister and a businessman, on Wednesday.

All of them have been served notices in accordance with Section 36 of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 44 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001, MACC said in a statement.

"Several documents related to the case have also been obtained,” said MACC, adding that currently, it is actively obtaining information related to the misappropriation of the country’s funds.

On May 19, it was reported that a former senior minister and a prominent businessman with the title of ‘Tan Sri’ were being investigated by the MACC, in accordance with the MACC Act 2009 and AMLATFPUAA 2001, regarding the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion of the country’s funds.

The source said the investigation is a continuation and extension of the disclosure of confidential documents by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) regarding suspected transactions in several offshore financial centres.

MACC chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki, when contacted, confirmed the matter and said the investigation is focused on Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 regarding the offence of misuse of power to obtain bribes and the offence of money laundering under Section 4 (1) AMLATFPUAA 2001. — Bernama