The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) launched a massive crackdown on Monday (July 14), raiding 19 locations across five states in an operation codenamed "Ops Metal."
The syndicate allegedly falsely declared scrap metal as machinery and other non-taxable goods to bypass the government's 15% export duty, shipping their cargo to China, India, and other countries.
00:00A sophisticated smuggling syndicate has been exposed after operating for over six years,
00:08evading nearly one billion ringgit in export duties through an elaborate scheme involving scrap metal exports.
00:15The syndicate allegedly falsely declared scrap metal as machinery and other non-taxable goods
00:21to bypass the government's 15% export duty, shipping their cargo to China, India and other countries.
00:28In a massive operation codenamed OpsMetal, the M.A.C.C. raided 19 locations across five states on Monday.
00:37In Penang, media outlets including The Star were on the ground as early as 5 a.m.
00:42to witness a high-profile raid at a luxury residence in Batumang.
00:47Officers from the M.A.C.C.'s elite anti-corruption tactical squad combed through the multi-story property,
00:53searching for key evidence linked to the high-level smuggling and corruption syndicate.
00:58The operation centred on a prominent scrap metal company owner who holds Adatuk title.
01:04However, the suspect, believed to be a foreign national, was not present during the raid.
01:10Sources said he left the country just two days earlier.
01:14Only several women, believed to be his wife, mother and domestic helper, were found at the residence.
01:20The raid then moved to Jalan Bukit Minyak on Penang mainland, where a scrap metal storage and processing facility,
01:28allegedly owned by the suspect, was searched.
01:30Around 30 workers were detained for questioning before being released after a supervisor assured the authorities of full cooperation.
01:44M.A.C.C. Chief Commissioner Tansri Azambaki confirmed the coordinated raids targeted manufacturers and companies
01:56involved in scrap metal exports suspected of large-scale tax evasion and bribery.
02:01The case is being investigated under Section 4, Subsection 1 of Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, 2001.
02:13Crucially, the syndicate's success relied on corrupt customs department officers, creating a network that allowed their operations to continue undetected for years.
02:25While no arrests were made during the raids, investigations remain active as authorities work to identify all individuals involved,
02:33including public servants suspected of facilitating these illicit operations.
