Arrest opens can of worms

KUALA LUMPUR: The arrest of myWatch chairman Datuk R. Sri Sanjeevan over alleged extortion on Wednesday has opened up a can of worms, prompting federal police to form a task force to investigate the suspect.
Besides at least three police reports lodged against him for alleged extortion since his arrest, police also learnt that a businessman had made a report against Sanjeevan after he allegedly used false academic certificates to seek employment as a consultant and manager with the complainant's company in 2013.
The businessman claimed in his report lodged last year that the 32-year-old suspect had made a proposal of providing hostels for university and college students including for recruits at police training centres.
He claimed in his report that Sanjeevan had produced certificates claiming he was a lawyer and had a law degree and another in business studies from foreign universities.
The company director claimed he decided to employ Sanjeevan and paid him a total of RM95,000 over six months of employment.
He ended Sanjeevan's employment when his work performance was unsatisfactory.
Sources said the businessman lodged a police report months later on learning that the law certificate Sanjeevan produced was allegedly fake.
It is learnt that another businessman who is involved in vehicle sales and is the son of a former top brass police officer is expected to lodge a report this week against Sanjeevan for allegedly attempting to extort thousands of ringgit from him.
The businessman who was allegedly threatened with exposure over an alleged business discrepancy if he did not pay up ignored the suspect's demands.
The suspect then allegedly exposed the businessman's activities which led to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to initiate an investigation.
In October last year, the businessman was charged under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act (AMLATFA) for making false statements over sales procedures of 50 luxury cars.
Sources said although Sanjeevan's remand order expires today, he will be re-arrested for the alleged cases of extortion reported against him.
He is expected to face charges for extortion under Section 384 of the Penal Code and remain in detention under the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA).
Investigators also learnt that two luxury vehicle registration plate numbers Sanjeevan had bid and obtained for RM340,000 last year were registered to motorcycles.
Sanjeevan, who since 2013 had claimed to fight crime under his non-governmental organisation myWatch, was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly demanding RM25,000 from an illegal 4D gaming syndicate member.