3 civil servants detained by MACC, assets worth over RM13m sealed and frozen (Updated)

PETALING JAYA: Three high-ranking government officials, including a Datuk Seri and a Datuk, were nabbed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today. They were allegedly involved in bribery, power abuse and money laundering.
MACC investigations division director Datuk Azam Baki (pix) said today the commission also froze the suspects' bank accounts and trust funds ranging between RM1 million and RM6 million.
"The total sum in accounts belonging to them is more than RM13 million," he said.
"Also seized were luxury condominiums including a penthouse and a bungalow belonging to the suspects as well as three luxury cars namely a Maserati, a BMW and an Audi, which we believe were acquired with their ill-gotten gains," he said.
A total of RM400,000 in cash, foreign currencies and several luxury watches belonging to the suspects were also seized when the MACC conducted simultaneous raids to nab the suspects in Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and Kelantan between 12pm and 2pm today.
The arrests came a day after MACC new chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad warned of zero-tolerance and stern action against corrupt civil servants and those who abuse their power.
The three suspects, who are all in their 50s, are officers at a government department, a local authority believed to be Kuala Lumpur City Hall and a government-linked company.
"The simultaneous operations were mounted in line with our chief commissioner's call to clean-up the civil service of corruption, mis-appropriation and abuse of power," he said.
Dzulkifli had in an interview with Bernama published on Monday called on civil servants and those involved with government agencies who are involved in corrupt practices to surrender before they are caught.
In saying those who voluntarily surrender now can hope to be given a lighter sentence, Dzulkifli said the MACC was actually in possession of information on various civil servants or those involved with government agencies, who are living beyond their means.
"It is just a matter of time before we take action. Come now ... I have opened this opportunity. Come any time before action is taken ... (because) if action has been taken, there will be no need to see us," he said.
The three suspects are being investigated under the MACC Act 2009, the Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, and Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act (Amlatfa).