MACC launches investigation into second hotel purchase by FIC

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigators had gone to six locations in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, Sarawak to begin investigations into a hotel purchase by the Felda Investment Corporation (FIC) in 2014.
The MACC is investigating the purchase of a hotel in Kuching. Sources in the MACC revealed that these latest investigations were taking place on the back of its investigations into FIC's purchase of a hotel in London prior to this.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad had ordered an investigation to be carried out on the purchase of the hotel which was bought by FIC for a price way over the market value.
Sources claimed that the MACC have seized documents that have information into the hotel purchase and will go through them to see if there is any element of corruption or abuse of power.
"According to information thus far, FIC was believed to have paid way over the market value for the hotel which resulted in losses amounting to hundreds of millions in ringgit," said the source.
MACC will also call in key witnesses for questioning in the near future to garner concrete evidence before any action is taken.
Earlier today Twelve Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers arrived at Balai Felda, Jalan Gurney at around 10am.
Meanwhile, another team had conducted a separate raid at the law firm of Mohamed Ridza & Co (MRCO) at Wisma UOB Damansara here.
MACC officers had also paid a visit to audit and consultancy firm Deloitte Malaysia at Menara LGB in Taman Tun Dr Ismail to gather evidence and documents.
Deloitte however claims that they were not raided by the MACC and that they are not under investigation from the commission with regards to the hotel probe.
"The MACC officers requested our assistance in providing information relating to their investigation, and we are cooperating fully with them to provide all required support and information to assist in the investigations," said its country managing partner Tan Theng Hooi in a statement.
Earlier this month the MACC opened its investigations into the aforementioned London hotel which the FIC had acquired for RM334 million in 2014, it was overpaid by 35%.
It was reported that the price paid for the hotel was too high and had caused FIC to incur huge losses.