PUTRAJAYA: Graft investigators probing the Scorpene submarines deal have uncovered new leads involving a local company suspected of making RM42mil in payments without the knowledge of its board of directors.
Recent developments indicate that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has reassessed its investigation, focusing on these new leads.
According to sources familiar with the case, investigators are now zeroing in on potential misappropriation amounting to RM42mil, which is said to be part of a RM530mil contract for support services related to the purchase of the submarines.
“The amount is believed to have been paid to companies belonging to family members of the owner of the local company.
“In view of this latest development, MACC will be calling several witnesses. In fact, we have already identified several of them and have recorded their statements,” said a source.
The MACC confirmed that investigations into the acquisition of the Scorpene submarines are ongoing and that the new leads will aid in advancing the case.
In April, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said that the probe was continuing and that the agency was in contact with related parties abroad to obtain information and evidence regarding certain transactions.
The purchase of the submarines was carried out in 2002, when former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was the defence minister.
Najib oversaw the purchase of two Scorpene-class submarines and one Agosta-class submarine from the French naval shipyard unit DCN, worth nearly €1bil.
The Scorpene submarines, named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Razak, arrived in Malaysia in September 2009 and July 2010, respectively.
