KUCHING: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will investigate a Chinese businessman with reportedly close ties to politicians in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition who had allegedly used his links to help his company profit from a lucrative iron ore mining deal in Bukit Besi, Terengganu, earlier this year.
MACC’s head of investigations Datuk Mohd Jamidan Abdullah said the commission viewed the allegations seriously and would seek to meet with Li Yang, the chairman and chief executive of the Chinese-controlled CAA Resources who had detailed his dealings in an interview with the New York Times (NYT) recently.
“The MACC views the claims made by Li Yang seriously. We will meet with Li Yang to get further details,” Jamidan said in a statement.
The MACC official also noted that the Li Yang’s revelation that his ‘Datuk’ title was purchased was a serious allegation and an affront to Malaysia’s monarchy.
“The allegations made by Li Yang can damage the reputation of the Palace where a middle man taking advantage is likely to have tried and solicit money from businessmen.
“The MACC would take serious and stern action if it was indeed found that bribes were paid to facilitate businesses,” he said.
Jamidan added that the MACC had in the past charged and convicted those found guilty in such cases, citing one case where a contractor was jailed for five years and fined RM50,000 for trying to solicit money for the title ‘Datuk Seri’ from the Perak palace.