MACC to conduct own probe into death of Customs officer

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will conduct a comprehensive internal investigation into the death of a senior Customs officer at the MACC building, said Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed.
He said the case had been handed over to the police and the MACC would assist fully in the investigation.
He expressed MACC's condolences to the wife and family of the late Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed, the Selangor Customs assistant director who fell to his death from the 3rd floor of the building in Jalan Cochrane, Kuala Lumpur Wednesday.
Ahmad Sarbani was alleged to be involved with a syndicate laundering billions of ringgit via tax evasion activities.
“As MACC Chief Commissioner, I too am saddened by what has happened,” said Abu Kassim in a press release.
“We hope this incident is not exploited or manipulated by certain parties for their own benefit,” he said.
Customs director-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Khalid Yusuf said the department was confident of the police and MACC investigations into the case.
“It would be unwise for me to comment further as I am not privy to the full facts of the case," he told newsmen at the Sultan Mahmud International Airport in Kuala Terengganu.
Mohamed Khalid confirmed that Ahmad Sarbani, 56, was among the 63 Customs officers being investigated by the MACC for alleged corruption and graft.
"I have ordered all state directors to give proper consultation and advice to all those being investigated by MACC.
“Such a move is important in order to give them the necessary moral support to avoid any similar tragedies from happening,” he said.