Money laundering investigation: Mandiri duo released after three days in custody
“Their tactic appears to be to arrest first, freeze the accounts and then try to find something they can use against us. This is wrong,” says Amir.
SHAH ALAM - Mandiri executive director Amir Hariri Abdul Hadi and finance director Dobby Chew were released from police custody shortly before midnight on Sept 24, three days after they were arrested under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla).
Amir said both he and Chew had voluntarily gone to the Amla office on Sept 22 to assist in an investigation under Section 4(1) of the law.
He said police took their statements and after the process was completed, he was suddenly arrested as they were leaving the investigating officer’s room.
“I was told that I was under arrest under Section 4(1). Our lawyer repeatedly asked the police about the predicate offence, but they could not provide an answer.
“They said we were detained because of suspicious funds coming into Mandiri ’s account, but they could not explain what that meant, as 'suspicious funds' alone cannot be considered a crime,” he told Sinar Daily when contacted.
Amir also alleged that the authorities’ approach was to arrest the pair and freeze their accounts before attempting to identify information that could subsequently be used against them.
“Their tactic appears to be to arrest first, freeze the accounts and then try to find something they can use against us. This is wrong,” he added.
The arrests came amid an investigation into allegations that Mandiri had received foreign funding.
The allegations first emerged in May, when Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim called for an investigation into alleged payments linked to the United States-based Tides Foundation, allegations which Mandiri denied.
The investigation intensified in September, with Amir and Chew barred from travelling overseas and their personal and organisational bank accounts frozen on Sept 10. Mandiri and Hayat’s office were subsequently raided on Sept 18.
Mandiri had maintained that both directors fully cooperated with the police investigation, while DAP leaders and civil society groups had called for due process and transparency.
Mandiri had also alleged that the arrests were linked to pressure over its advocacy on corruption and abuse of power.
Meanwhile, Amir said a lawsuit was filed against Kamil remained ongoing and that Mandiri would provide an update once it received a date from the court.
“The lawsuit we filed against Kamil is still ongoing and we will update everyone once we receive a date from the court,” he said.
Despite the investigation, Amir said Mandiri would continue operating as usual.
“Mandiri will continue to operate as usual. Our main objectives of empowering young people, playing a check and balance role and campaigning against draconian laws and corruption will remain unchanged,” he said.
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