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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
KL raid uncovers 15,000 fake designer shoes
KUALA LUMPUR: The operations of a counterfeit goods syndicate distributing fake merchandise nationwide were crippled following the seizure of 15,000 pairs of shoes and slippers during a raid at a wholesale complex along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman recently. Kuala Lumpur Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) director Mohd Sabri Seman said the counterfeit items were discovered in eight warehouses believed to be owned by a local man. He said the syndicate is believed to have set up base in the capital two months ago and frequently relocated within the Klang Valley to evade detection by the authorities. "The raid was the result of three weeks of intelligence work by the ministry's Federal Territory enforcement team, which successfully uncovered the syndicate's operations. "The raiding party confiscated 15,000 pairs of counterfeit branded slippers and shoes, with an estimated total value of nearly RM400,000," he said at a press conference yesterday. Mohd Sabri said most of the counterfeit products are believed to have originated from China and entered Malaysia via sea routes. Investigations revealed that the syndicate imported the goods at RM4 per pair of slippers and RM20 per pair of shoes, before reselling them at several times the cost to traders across the country, including some in neighbouring nations. Preliminary findings indicate that the slippers were sold for between RM40 and RM50 a pair, while the shoes fetched between RM100 and RM120. "In addition to the warehouses, we also discovered a showroom believed to be a covert display centre used by wholesalers to showcase various models to prospective traders. "We also suspect that these counterfeit products are being marketed online," he added. A local man in his early 20s, believed to be the warehouse manager, was arrested to assist with the investigation. "The case is being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001), due to the scale of the operation and the involvement of a syndicate. "This seizure involved 12 luxury brands, and the ministry has received commendable cooperation from the respective brand representatives. "Without the collaboration of trademark holders, we would not have been able to proceed with the case," he said.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Dismissal of Na'imah's application a miscarriage of justice, court told
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court's dismissal of Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid's application to refer questions of law to the High Court was a miscarriage of justice, the High Court here heard. Counsel Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar, representing Na'imah, submitted that the dismissal had denied his client clarity on her legal position and should be rectified by the High Court to uphold the integrity of the judicial process. Gurdial was submitting on Friday (June 13) in Na'imah's application for revision over the Sessions Court's dismissal of her application to refer eight questions regarding the validity of charges she is facing for allegedly failing to declare her assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). ALSO READ: Daim's wife claims trial over failure to declare assets In his submission, Gurdial said the present charge against Na'imah is an offence that was "purely technical" and likely made "in retaliation" by the MACC. He said Na'imah, who was never a co-suspect, was asked to assist in the investigation against her late husband, Tun Daim Zainuddin, as a witness. Na'imah was issued with a Section 36(1)(b) notice by the MACC, requiring her to disclose information in respect of assets to the best of her ability, and she had complied with it, he added. "Notwithstanding this, the MACC took the view that her compliance was insufficient... insufficient perhaps for them to formulate a charge against the late Daim for any criminal offence. "Perhaps in retaliation, the MACC commenced the present charge against the applicant," he said. Gurdial said the dismissal by the Sessions Court showed a clear misconception in law and procedure when the judge made certain findings that misconstrued the true nature of the charge against Na'imah. ALSO READ: Na'imah fails bid to refer questions of law to High Court "In this case, the Sessions Court's dismissal of the application deprived the applicant of this fundamental right, thereby failing to ensure that the legal questions, which are central to the case, were properly addressed," he added. Justice K. Muniandy fixed July 11 for parties to continue their submission. On Jan 23 last year, Na'imah was charged in the Sessions Court for failure to comply with a notice to declare her assets, which included Menara Ilham and several other properties in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. She was charged under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment or a fine of RM100,000 upon conviction. On Feb 29 the same year, Na'imah applied to refer questions of law on Sections 30(5), 36(2) and 62 of the MACC Act, as well as Section 32(3)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001 to the High Court. On Feb 18, the application was dismissed by the Sessions Court on grounds that the application lacked merit, as there were no constitutional issues raised in the case.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Najib's RM27mil money laundering trial to proceed, AGC dismisses review request
KUALA LUMPUR: The RM27mil money laundering trial involving Datuk Seri Najib Razak and SRC International Sdn Bhd will proceed to a full trial, the High Court has announced. This follows the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) dismissal of a representation sent by the former Pekan MP seeking a review of his charges. During proceedings on Wednesday (June 11), Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Ashroff Adrin Kamarul informed Justice K. Muniandy that the AGC had rejected the representation. ALSO READ: RM27mil SRC case: AGC asks for one more month to decide on Najib's representation On Feb 3, 2019, Najib claimed trial to three charges of money laundering by accepting proceeds from unlawful activities amounting to RM27mil through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, AmBank Group Building, Jalan Raja Chulan on July 8, 2014, under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001. He faces a maximum fine of RM5mil or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, if convicted. More To Come Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
New Straits Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MACC moves to forfeit Daim-linked Menara Ilham
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will apply for the forfeiture of Menara Ilham, a building owned by the family of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin. This follows the MACC receiving authorisation from the deputy public prosecutor to seize the building on Jalan Binjai for a second time. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the forfeiture would be carried out under Section 55 or Section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001. "We have already submitted an application under Section 51 of AMLATFPUAA (to seize the tower), and the next step will be to file an application under Section 56 or 55 of the same Act to forfeit the asset (Ilham Tower)," he said when contacted. Section 55 allows for the forfeiture of property following a conviction, while Section 56 provides for civil forfeiture without the need for prosecution or conviction. Commenting on the second seizure of Menara Ilham, Azam said it involved two different legal provisions. "Previously (the December 2023 seizure) was carried out under the MACC Act, while this time it involves the AMLATFPUAA," he said. Yesterday, the MACC announced that the seizure prohibits all dealings involving the transfer of ownership of the property. Ilham Tower, located in downtown Kuala Lumpur near the Petronas Twin Towers, houses a four-star hotel, office spaces, a gallery, and other facilities. This is not the first time the MACC has seized the 60-storey tower. In December 2023, the MACC invoked its powers to take control of the 274-metre-tall skyscraper, estimated to be worth between RM1.5 billion and RM2 billion. Sources said the tower was seized for 18 months, the longest duration granted to the MACC to date. The move was understood to be part of an investigation into a corporate transaction valued at RM2.3 billion involving publicly listed Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Bhd.
The Star
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Ilham Tower seized again by MACC
PETALING JAYA: The iconic Ilham Tower (pic) has been seized again by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) – this time under a different Act. The anti-graft body did so after receiving legal authorisation for the seizure from the deputy public prosecutor's office. The tower, owned by the family of the late former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, whose widow Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid is facing charges in court, had been seized in 2023 but the order expired recently. With the new order, all dealings related to the 274m-tall tower's transfer of ownership will be prohibited. The MACC said it had ordered the immediate seizure of the 60-storey skyscraper under Section 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001. 'Through a notice of seizure of immovable property under the section on June 4, the authorisation for seizure was granted pursuant to the powers conferred upon the Public Prosecutor under Section 376(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593). 'This means the deputy public prosecutor is satisfied with the information provided by the MACC related to an offence under subsection 4(1) of the AMLATFPUAA 2001 for this case,' it said in a statement yesterday. The tower was originally seized by the MACC in December 2023 due to an offence under the MACC Act 2009. That seizure order expired after 18 months. The seizure is believed to be part of an anti-money laundering probe that started in late May this year over a RM2.3bil (US$500mil) corporate transaction in November 1997 involving public-listed Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Bhd (UEM), both Umno-linked entities. Meanwhile, lawyers for Na'imah has issued a statement, labelling the seizure as 'pure harassment'. 'The same building has already been seized by the MACC and yet, is now being seized again. 'In short, they want to keep seizing our client's property even though there is no evidence of corruption. 'We will, on behalf of our client, challenge the seizure of Ilham Tower in court immediately,' said lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh Sohanpal. On May 22, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said eight investigation papers had been opened into the assets owned by Daim, his family and proxies, which had not been declared to the MACC during the initial 2023 investigation. On Wednesday, the High Court allowed an application by the MACC to freeze £132mil worth of assets in London that were also allegedly linked to Na'imah and her family.
