Mandiri duo in the dark over alleged offence in money laundering probe

Mandiri activists Amir Hadi (left) and Dobby Chew are expected to be taken to the lock-up at the Jinjang police station.PETALING JAYA: Mandiri activists Amir Hadi and Dobby Chew have been arrested under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, or Amla.In a Facebook post, the NGO said the duo would be taken to the lock-up at the Jinjang police station tonight.Earlier today, Amir and Chew had presented themselves to Bukit Aman’s commercial crime investigation department officers where they were questioned under the anti-money laundering laws.Hadi is the executive director of the rights group, while Chew is its finance director.On Sept 18, more than 20 police officers raided an office in Petaling Jaya shared by Mandiri and Hayat, an NGO managed by Chew. The groups handed over financial records, audit reports, tax documents, staff payroll records, a computer and a USB drive containing financial information.The investigation follows recent enforcement action against the duo, including the freezing of their personal and organisational bank accounts under anti-money laundering laws and travel bans that prevented both Amir and Chew from travelling abroad. Activists Amir Hadi and Dobby Chew were summoned to the Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department at Menara KPJ in Kuala Lumpur for questioning today.KUALA LUMPUR: Activists Amir Hadi and Dobby Chew said the authorities have failed to clarify the specific offence they are being investigated for as they arrived at Bukit Aman's commercial crime investigation department today to give their statements under anti-money laundering laws.Amir, the executive director of the rights group Mandiri, said police officers from the anti-money laundering unit who raided their shared office last week cited only "suspicious funds" when questioned about the basis of the probe."Suspicious funds alone do not constitute a criminal offence unless linked to illicit origins like terrorism financing or illegal gambling."Just because funds are deemed suspicious cannot be the basis to raid an individual or an organisation.

We hope the investigating officer will clearly state the predicate offence so we know what is actually being investigated," Amir told reporters outside Menara KPJ here.Chew, the Mandiri finance director, accompanied Amir, who reiterated that both of them had cooperated fully with the authorities.On Sept 18, more than 20 police officers raided an office in Petaling Jaya shared by Mandiri and Hayat, an NGO managed by Chew.