Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), under Op Sky, has frozen 98 company and individual bank accounts, amounting to RM22.07 million, as of today, MACC deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the operation has led to the arrest of 21 individuals, including eight directors and company officers, 12 bank officers, and one civilian acting as an agent. The syndicate was detected across several banks operating in Malaysia, where a loan value of RM700 million was involved. Approximately between 0.5 and one per cent was paid to involved parties to secure approval.

The authorities have also seized nine luxury cars, RM309,400 in cash, 17 luxury watches worth RM11.11 million, five luxury handbags valued at RM431,256, and five sets of jewellery estimated at RM50,000. The case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) and Section 17A(a) of the MACC Act 2009, Section 137 of the Financial Services Act 2013, and Section 4(1) of the AMLATFPUAA 2001 (Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001).

Op Sky involves an investigation into money laundering resulting from corruption activities, document forgery, and fraud to obtain approval for personal loan financing. Ahmad Khusairi also mentioned that MACC has conducted Op Trust to uncover a syndicate where companies were detected misusing trust units for personal gain, highlighting ongoing financial and banking issues in Malaysia.