Malaysia confiscates millions in cash and gold during an investigation into military procurement

Anti-corruption investigators say they confiscated luxury goods and froze company accounts as part of a widening inquiry into alleged bribery linked to defense contracts.

Malaysia’s anti-corruption authorities said they had seized millions of dollars in cash, gold and luxury goods and frozen company bank accounts as part of a widening investigation into alleged corruption in military procurement, an inquiry that has ensnared senior armed forces figures and civilian contractors.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said the investigation focuses on two related cases involving suspected bribery, abuse of power and money laundering. At a news conference, Azam Baki, the agency’s chief commissioner, said 23 people — including military personnel and civilians — had been arrested so far.

In the larger of the two cases, investigators seized about 5.8 million ringgit ($1.4 million) in cash, along with a Range Rover, dozens of luxury watches, and quantities of gold, diamonds and other jewelry, Azam said. The total value of the seized assets was estimated at about 11.4 million ringgit, or roughly $2.8 million. Authorities also froze dozens of company bank accounts holding more than $7.6 million in ringgit.

Azam said a former army chief who had been detained in connection with the investigation was released on Monday and that investigators expected to submit their findings to the attorney general’s office next week.

In a second case linked to the same inquiry, investigators seized additional cash, foreign currency, gold and vehicles and froze several more company accounts, the chief commissioner said, adding that the investigation was nearing completion.

The arrests stem from an earlier probe into what authorities have described as a cartel involving defense procurement contracts. Investigators have said they are examining a network of companies suspected of coordinating bids and paying bribes in connection with military tenders.