SPRM ada kuasa perintah pengisytiharan harta, kata peguam

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (SPRM) holds the power under law to compel an individual to declare their assets, according to a lawyer discussing the efforts of former Bank Rakyat Malaysia (BRM) chairman Nazir Hussin Akhtar Hussin to prevent such a demand. N Sivananthan stated that the SPRM Act grants the authority to SPRM to request individuals under investigation to disclose their assets.

He questioned the effectiveness of Nazir's actions, who is currently under investigation for alleged bribery and misuse of power related to a RM10 million investment made in 2020. His brother, Mubarak Hussin, is also being investigated in the same case.

Sivananthan expressed confusion about the injunction Nazir claims to have sought, as authorities have the power to request individuals to disclose their assets, but now are seeking a court order to prevent them from doing so. He finds it hard to understand how this can succeed, as practically they are telling them they cannot conduct an investigation, even though the law authorizes this power.

Sivananthan is keen to see how the court will rule on Nazir's request. Nazir was summoned to the SPRM office on October 14, along with his wife and assistant, to assist in the investigation. SPRM documented statements from Nazir's wife and assistant, while Nazir refused to accept the asset declaration notice presented to him. On October 8, Nazir accused SPRM of misusing its power during an investigation into allegations of bribery involving a RM10 million investment by BRM.

He claimed that the SPRM raid on his home and his brother Mubarak's, in addition to seven days of questioning, was unprofessional. During this raid, SPRM seized 15 luxury vehicles worth RM31 million, 12 high-end motorcycles worth RM5 million, five luxury watches, three luxury chains, and RM30,000 in cash. They also froze two personal bank accounts containing approximately RM2 million.

Nazir maintained that while the agency had investigated the investment in 2022, he believes there is no clear evidence of wrongdoing or misuse of power. He holds the stance that the principal amount of RM10 million has been fully recovered, along with RM1.85 million in interest.