PUTRAJAYA (March 4): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating a former aide to Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli over his employment with a UK-based company that has an interest in a government-awarded project.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the individual has yet to return to Malaysia to have his statement recorded, despite efforts to contact him through various channels.

“The media statement issued today is to inform that he is required to return from the UK to assist in the investigation,” Azam said, adding that the individual is not being treated as a witness at this stage.

Earlier, MACC said it is looking for Chai Jin Shern, or better known as James Chai, to assist in the ongoing probe.

Chai served as Rafizi’s special officer at the Ministry of Economy. The MACC has opened an investigation into a RM1.1 billion government agreement with a foreign company.

Last month, the MACC opened an investigation into a RM1.1 billion government agreement with a foreign company. Several documents related to the deal were obtained from the ministry on Feb 13.

The commission is expected to question several witnesses, including the ministry’s secretary general. On the same day, Rafizi claimed that the MACC was preparing to raid him. Earlier, the MACC confirmed it had received reports from non-government agencies about the alleged misuse of RM1.11 billion linked to a former senior minister.

During Rafizi’s tenure, the Ministry of Economy partnered with UK-based ARM Holdings plc to boost Malaysia’s semiconductor design industry and develop its own graphics processing unit chips within five to seven years.

On Wednesday, Azam confirmed that a former minister had been called to give a statement, though he declined to name the individual.

Prior to this, Rafizi has been vocal in decrying the investigations into him, which he said, are tied to the ARM Holdings deal.

So far, a total of 12 witnesses from various government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti), the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), and several other agencies, have been called, Azam said.

The agency has also obtained key documents from the relevant ministries and agencies, and has reviewed Cabinet papers related to the matter.

Azam stressed that the MACC will conduct the probe fairly and professionally, and will not allow any party to interfere. He also urged all parties to be patient and await the outcome of the investigation.

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