From Malaysia Kini

By Rahmah Ghazali

Bank Negara’s disclosure that it is investigating the transfer of RM10 million to London by Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar (MB) Mohamad Hasan in 2008 is just the tip of the iceberg.

According to Batu parliamentarian Tian Chua, the central bank has confirmed that 114 cases involving illegal funds transfer were detected from 2006 to 2009,.

“The details have never been revealed,” Tian Chua told reporters at the Parliament lobby today, also disclosing that he is personally aware of two prominent cases.

One, he said, involves a wife of a current senior minister, while the other is said to be a former minister. In both cases, funds were allegedly transferred in violation of banking laws.

“In March 2008, a wife of a senior minister transferred funds amounting to RM600,000 to Dubai,” alleged Chua, who is also PKR director of strategy.

“And between June and August 2008, a ‘Tan Sri’ transferred 3.5 million pounds sterling (RM22.2 million) to the United Kingdom.”

He refused to divulge names or to provide evidence to back his claims, saying he wants “to allow Bank Negara to probe these two cases first”.

“If there is no investigation and nothing is forthcoming after a certain point, I will reveal the details,” he said.

“I have repeatedly written letters to Bank Negara for details of the cases. What they provided does not show the amount involved in each case.

“Although I have asked numerous times, they have refused to disclose the nature of the crime. I want them to be transparent so as not to create a negative (perception) of our financial market.”

Last week, Bank Negara confirmed that it is investigating Mohamad’s alleged transfer of RM10 million to London.

Chua had claimed that this could have violated banking laws, but Mohamad has refused to comment on the matter.