In the course of Ops Water I and II, investigating alleged corruption in the Sabah State Water Department (JANS), the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized a total of RM114.5 million is cash as well as moveable and non-movable assets, both locally and abroad.

The MACC announced this, as it related that the operations are coming to the final stages of investigation process.

“In relation to this MACC expects to finish its investigation paper soon prior to handing it over to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for consideration,” said its deputy chief commissioner for operations Azam Baki, in a statement today.

In addition to the assets and monies seized, MACC said that it had detained 28 individuals in remand, including a former director, two former deputy directors, 23 engineers and technicians as well as two civilians over the matter.

MACC also recorded statements from 200 witnesses, and seized documents from 30 locations involving over 8,000 payment vouchers and files that weighed up to 12 tonnes.

The long drawn out investigation process was conducted by 137 MACC officers from various departments.

“MACC is very serious in investigating graft specifically when it involves the public interest, though ample time is needed to ensure that all evidence collected will not face problems during court proceedings,” said Azam.

Began in October, Ops Water is one of several high-profile investigations conducted by MACC in its recent spate of actions against alleged corruption in government departments and government-linked companies (GLCs) which saw dozens arrested and millions in cash and assets seized.