MACC spends four hours gathering evidence over FIC's Kuching hotel purchase
BY GERYL OGILVY
KUCHING: Officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) spent four hours gathering evidence during a visit to companies here as part of investigations into the purchase of a hotel by Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd (FIC).
The officers began their visit to the three companies - including property agents and a developer - at about 10am on Friday.
Four officers visited the office of Raine & Horne International Zaki + Partners Sdn Bhd at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and emerged at 2pm with a box of documents.
Another four officers visited the office of an international asset consultant firm Henry Butcher Malaysia (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd at Jalan Petanak and left the building with some files around 1pm.
However, MACC officers could not visit the office of developer Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg as it was closed.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki, confirmed that officers visited the three companies to collect documents and evidence relating to the purchase of the 213-room, four star hotel in Kuching.
These investigations follow the probe carried out by the MACC on a high-end hotel purchase in Kensington, London.
The hotel in London, comprising 62 guest rooms and two three-bedroom serviced apartments, was reportedly overpaid by at least £20mil (RM110mil).
Two people have been detained to assist with investigations into the London hotel purchase and several top ranking Felda officers have given their statements to the anti-graft body.
It is learnt that the investigations would look into the elements of corruption and abuse of power, resulting in FIC, Felda's investment arm, paying a higher price than the actual market value.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/07/28/macc-spend-four-hours-gathering-evidence-on-kuching-hotel-purchase/#gG0RP4f1m30faDsS.99
