KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 10): Inix Technologies Holdings Bhd’s former chairman Wan Kuok Koi has been blacklisted by the US due to his activities at the helm of the 14K Triad, according to a report.
Reuters reported that the US had slapped sanctions on Wan, who is the leader of the organised crime group involved in drug trafficking, illegal gambling, racketeering, human trafficking and other criminal activities.
He is also reportedly a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). A spokeswoman with China's foreign ministry has refuted the claim.
The US Treasury also designated three entities owned or controlled by Wan, namely Cambodia-based World Hongmen History and Culture Association, Hong Kong-based Dongmei Group and the Palau China Hung-mun Cultural Association in Palau.
“It said the World Hongmen group had co-opted elites in Malaysia and Cambodia, continuing a 'pattern of overseas Chinese actors trying to paper over illegal criminal activities by framing their actions in terms of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)' and other major initiatives of the CCP,” the wire reported.
His properties that fall under US jurisdiction are frozen under the sanctions.
The Macau billionaire, better known by his gang moniker "Broken Tooth Koi", was appointed the independent and non-executive chairman of Inix in August this year.
He was released from the prison in Macau in December 2012 after serving a 14-year sentence for charges including loan-sharking, money laundering and heading a criminal group, news reports said.
The 65-year-old was the dragon head, or leader, of the infamous 14K Triad operating out of Macau, according to news reports, although his reach spanned many parts of Europe.
Meanwhile at Inix, after a short stint of four months, he resigned from his post on Dec 2. On the same day, Inix announced the appointment of Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, a retired inspector-general of the Royal Malaysia Police, as its independent and non-executive chairman, although he, too, resigned from his role a mere five days after the appointment.
The company said Mohamad Fuzi had resigned “to spend more time on personal interests and ongoing businesses”.