Azam Baki: MACC to summon celebrities linked to Op Sky

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will summon several celebrities for questioning over their alleged links to a financial consultancy firm dismantled in Op Sky.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the individuals would be called in next week to assist in the investigation.

"MACC will summon the celebrities involved in the near future," he said.

Investigators found that funds from the firm had been used to engage celebrities, including appointing them as brand ambassadors.

"From the statements and financial records obtained, these celebrities received payments ranging from RM150,000 to RM400,000 over one to two years as official ambassadors," he added.

MACC also uncovered evidence of additional payments made for concert sponsorships and specially composed songs on behalf of the syndicate.

Berita Harian (BH) previously reported that several celebrities, including veteran artists and inspirational icons, are under investigation by the MACC for their involvement with a financial consultancy firm that colluded with local bank officials to deceive numerous bank borrowers, including thousands of civil servants, through overlapping loans.

Sources informed BH that the celebrities involved were paid up to hundreds of thousands of ringgit to use their public image to convince people to use the firm's services.

On Jan 14, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested 12 individuals, including directors of financial consultancy firms and bank officers from several financial institutions, allegedly involved in corruption and money laundering activities in a special operation codenamed 'Op Sky'.

The operation was conducted in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia at 24 locations, including residences and offices around the Klang Valley, and resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals.

Among those arrested were two directors of financial consultancy firms, a foundation director, a bank manager, and a former sales manager from a banking institution.

They are believed to be involved in corruption and money laundering linked to personal loan applications from various banking institutions.