KUALA LUMPUR: The probe into businessman Nicky Liow’s case was done transparently and did not protect the interests of any other party, says Bukit Aman.

       Its Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) said that instructions to charge him were executed as directed by the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC).

       Federal CCID director Comm Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din said on March 15 last year, the police began investigations against Liow over his alleged involvement in organised crime cases under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).

       "From the investigations, 68 raids were conducted on March 20, 2021 around Selangor to detain Liow and his group members.

       "A total of 116 individuals were detained in these raids but Liow managed to escape," he said in a statement on Tuesday (April 12).

       He added that on April 9 that same year, 15 of Liow’s group members were charged under Section 130V of the Penal Code at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court.

       "Liow was also charged in absentia under the same offence," he said.

       He also said on Sept 30, 2021 Liow was discharged not amounting to an acquittal by the Shah Alam High Court for the organised crime (Sosma) case following an application from the AGC to wait for the results of the money laundering investigations.

       Comm Mohd Kamarudin said on Feb 23 this year, Liow’s lawyer filed an appeal and successfully obtained a discharge amounting to an acquittal order.

       "On March 8, the AGC filed with the Court of Appeal over the decision of the High Court that ordered the discharge amounting to an acquittal of Liow.

       "Based on the decision of the Shah Alam High Court, Liow through his lawyer sent a letter to the police expressing his willingness to surrender," he said, adding that on March 23, 26 charges were filed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act against Liow and an arrest warrant was obtained to ensure he did not flee the charges.

       Comm Mohd Kamarudin said Liow came to the Bukit Aman CCID headquarters on Monday (April 11) to surrender and was subsequently detained.

       "We want to stress that the probe into Liow was done transparently and did not protect the interests of any other party.

       "Instructions on charging him were also executed as directed by the Attorney General's Chambers,” he said.