Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has successfully uncovered tyre smuggling activities and forged import and export documents which are believed to have caused the government to lose approximately RM350 million in tax revenue since 2020.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the exposure was carried out through Op Grip raids which were carried out simultaneously at 23 locations around the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor, today.

The raids were carried out on companies that import tyres, warehouses, and tyre storage containers. “As a result of the raids, MACC has frozen private banking accounts and company accounts involving an estimated value of approximately RM70 million,” he said here today. According to the source, further investigations are now focused on efforts to detect and seize other assets suspected of being obtained through money laundering activities, either by Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) officers or the tyre importing companies involved.

“The issue of used tyres that do not meet standards can be likened to a ‘time bomb’ because it affects consumer safety and can cause accidents. This demands more thorough action by the authorities,” he said. Meanwhile, MACC Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin confirmed the raid and said the investigation was conducted in accordance with Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001).

“MACC will not compromise with any party that tries to profit through corruption, money laundering, and smuggling that is detrimental to the country,” said Mohamad Zamri. Meanwhile, a Bernama survey during the raid on three tyre sales premises here found that one of the premises was storing various types of tyres in 12 containers stacked vertically as high as four storeys. The business premises were also found to be storing various types of tyres from various local and foreign manufacturers, with some of them being sold for as low as RM85.

The raid was led by the MACC Special Operations Division (BOK) in collaboration with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and JKDM.