Hours after the anti-graft agency raided his houses, seizing cash and watches, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim dropped a clanger – he says most of the “luxury watches” seized are fake. The Umno Supreme Council member said that some 14 of the watches, which included brands such as Rolex, were “underwater” pieces of “triple A” grade, a name given to better quality imitation goods sold in downtown Kuala Lumpur and pasar malam.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had raided at least three premises linked to Abdul Azeez, including his residence in Subang in Selangor and his home and office in Baling, Kedah.
Sources familiar with the ongoing investigations said the raid was a headquarter’s operation that was assisted by its Perlis office. It is learnt that the investigations were on whether kickbacks were received in Government contracts awarded by the previous administration. The raiding team seized around RM500,000 in Malaysian currency and another RM400,000 in other currencies, including US dollars, British pounds, euros, rupiah, Maldivian rufiyaa and Saudi riyal.
Also seized were 20 watches and several pieces of jewellery.
“I could not produce the certificates for most of the watches as many are fakes. I bought them because they look nice and I shared them with my son. Of course, a few pieces are genuine. I have been working for over 30 years, of course I can afford to buy a few real watches,” the Baling MP said.
Interestingly, Abdul Azeez’s education was also questioned a few years ago. His Masters in Business Administration was said to be from Preston University, an unaccredited institution and a degree mill.
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