Hasanah Abdul Hamid, the former head of the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO), is expected to be charged on Thursday in relation to the alleged misappropriation of US$12 million in funds.
Hasanah will be brought to the KL Sessions Court at about 8am and will be charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code, said a source with knowledge of the investigations.
Section 409 deals with criminal breach of trust by public servants or agents.
Malaysiakini had previously reported that some intelligence officers might have received the US$12 million from a foreign source via a Middle Eastern country ahead of the May 9 general election.
The officers had allegedly abused their authority to bring the cash into Malaysia through an airport.
According to the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and the Exchange Control Act 1953, a sum equivalent to US$10,000 (RM41,575) and above must be declared at the point of entry. Failure to do so may result in a jail sentence and a hefty fine.
Early this month, Malaysiakini had reported that nine people had been arrested since August in relation to the case.
Apart from Hasanah and the officers, a businessman was also held in Kelantan after which investigators recovered a total of US$4.07 million from a condominium in Cyberjaya.
In August, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki said the commission had seized a total of US$6.3 million in cash from several locations during its investigation into the misappropriation of funds by the suspects. – Malaysiakini
Earlier reports:
Sept 3, Ex-Spy Chief Hasanah Released from MACC Remand
Aug 30, MACC Probing Hasanah: US$12M Linked to 1MDB Missing from Ex-PM’s Office
Aug 29, Ex-Spy Chief Hasanah Remanded Five Days
Aug 28, MACC Arrests Ex-Spy Chief of CIA Letter Fame