KUALA LUMPUR (May 6): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) plans to recommend criminal charges against two individuals in connection with its probe into alleged corruption involving the government’s RM1.1 billion deal with UK-based semiconductor design firm Arm Holdings.

Outgoing MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said on Wednesday that the investigation is at its tail end, with statements taken from 22 witnesses so far, including former economy minister Datuk Seri Mohd Rafizi Ramli and his former aide James Chai.

“I can’t say who, but we are proposing [that charges be brought],” Azam, whose tenure as the anti-graft body's chief is slated to end on May 12, told the press.

He said two more individuals are expected to be called for questioning, one of whom is in the country, while another is in Taiwan.

“The investigation paper will be submitted to the deputy public prosecutor, and it will be up to the DPP to decide whether there is a case or not,” he added.

The investigation into the semiconductor deal is framed under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for abuse of power, and Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.

The strategic partnership with Arm was inked during Rafizi’s tenure as the economy minister. Under the agreement, the government committed RM1.1 billion over a 10-year period for Arm to provide Malaysia with intellectual property licences and compute subsystems. Arm will also collect royalties on chips sold.

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