SC and Public Prosecutor get order to freeze bank accounts of company director

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 14): The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and the Public Prosecutor (PP) have secured an order to freeze the bank accounts of a company director over an ongoing investigation.

In a statement today, the SC said the High Court yesterday allowed them to strike out a suit filed by Teh Sew Wan on Aug 24, 2019.

Teh had filed a suit following the freezing and seizure of her bank accounts, initiated by the SC and the PP in accordance with sections 44 and 50 of the Freezing and Seizure Orders under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA).

A check on Bursa Malaysia shows that Teh was formerly a director in Asia Media Sdn Bhd and Asia Media Broadcasting Sdn Bhd, both subsidiaries of Asia Media Group Bhd, before resigning on May 6, 2019.

In her suit, Teh claimed that the orders under AMLATFPUAA are bad in law and her constitutional rights were infringed.

"At the hearing held at the Shah Alam High Court yesterday, the SC and the PP argued that the suit filed by Teh was pre-mature and an abuse of court process as the investigation against Teh is still ongoing.

"In delivering the High Court's decision, Justice Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima agreed with the SC and ordered for the suit to be struck out," said the SC.