MACC Seizes RM83 Million in Assets Linked to Illegal Tyre Import Syndicate

PETALING JAYA, Oct 6: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized assets valued at approximately RM83 million following a major crackdown on a syndicate involved in the illegal import of tires under its special operation, “Ops Grip.”

According to an MACC source, raids on six warehouses and several shipping containers uncovered more than 15,000 illegally imported tires that were brought into Malaysia using falsified import documents. The operation, covering offenses from 2020 to 2025, is believed to have caused an estimated RM350 million in tax losses to the Malaysian government.

The same source revealed that the MACC has frozen multiple bank accounts holding a total of RM70 million, believed to be proceeds from the smuggling activities.

Additionally, the commission seized several high-value assets allegedly purchased using the illicit funds, including six plots of land worth RM40.5 million, two terrace houses valued at RM2 million, one townhouse worth RM2 million, and a four-story shophouse estimated at RM4 million.

Experts from major tire manufacturers were brought in to verify the authenticity of the products. “Inspections revealed that false labels and barcodes were used to disguise the tires’ origins,” said the source.

Confirming the seizures, MACC Special Operations Division Senior Director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin said the case remains under active investigation.

“The investigation is being conducted under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA),” he stated.

The Ops Grip operation is part of MACC’s nationwide efforts to combat financial crimes, smuggling, and tax evasion schemes that exploit trade loopholes and cost the nation billions in revenue losses.