MACC: Issuance of notice to trace an individual is standard investigative procedure

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today said the issuance of a Notice to Trace (or track down) an individual/witness to assist in an investigation is a standard investigative procedure used by MACC and other enforcement agencies.

It said that such a notice is only issued after various efforts to contact the individual concerned have failed, including through telephone calls, visits to the last known address, or other reasonable means.

“It must be emphasised that a Notice to Trace does not constitute a criminal accusation, nor does it imply that the individual concerned has committed any offence.

“It is merely a step taken to locate individuals required to assist in an investigation,” it said in a statement.

Referring to a statement issued by Chai Jin Shern (James Chai), MACC said it views it seriously as several of the claims made are inaccurate, misleading, and give the public a false impression regarding the investigative procedures.

“Several facts must be clarified. The press conference by Tan Sri Azam Baki was MACC’s regular monthly media briefing held periodically to inform the media on developments relating to several ongoing investigations.”

Among the cases mentioned were Op Middlemen, which uncovered a syndicate acting as intermediaries in facilitating bribes to enforcement officers to allow heavy vehicles to bypass road safety regulations; the illegal e-waste case involving investigations into the Department of Environment; Op Heart; investigations involving IJM; as well as Op Godfather relating to the case involving Toh Puan Nai’mah Ab Khalid, her family members and associates.

“Therefore, allegations that the press conference was held solely to target James Chai are entirely untrue and baseless.

“In the ongoing investigation, 12 individuals, including a Federal Minister, have already been called in and all have cooperated with MACC.

“If James Chai has nothing to hide, he should present himself and cooperate with the investigation,” said MACC.

The statement said MACC issues between two and five Notices to Trace individuals on average every week, depending on the requirements of ongoing investigations.

Efforts to contact James Chai

MACC said its investigating officers made several attempts to contact James Chai, who had been traced to be in the United Kingdom, before the notice was issued.

Beginning 24 February 2026, the investigating officer attempted to contact him via WhatsApp using a telephone number known to belong to James Chai, but there was no response.

After several attempts to contact him without response, the investigating officer’s number was eventually blocked by one of James Chai’s telephone numbers on 26 February 2026.

“Therefore, the claim that MACC did not attempt to contact him before issuing the notice is completely untrue.

“Attempts to portray normal investigative procedures as acts of persecution against an individual are unwarranted and made in bad faith,” read the statement.

MACC reiterated that the Commission strictly adheres to the principle of “presumption of innocence”, meaning that a person is considered innocent until proven otherwise.

“Therefore, being called to assist in an investigation does not mean that the person is guilty or has committed an offence.

“As a citizen, it is the duty and responsibility of James Chai to cooperate with the authorities when required, rather than provide unreasonable excuses or create negative perceptions against enforcement agencies,” added MACC. – March 4, 2026