Scomi CEO Denies Involvement In US Investigation.

The Chief Executive Officer of Scomi Group Bhd, Shah Hakim @ Shahzanim Zain, said he has not been involved in any further investigation into the alleged nuclear proliferation network since 2004.

He was making reference to an article in The Straits Times (Singapore) on Friday, Jan 16, in which he was said to have been designated by the US State Department together with 12 other individuals for alleged involvement in nuclear proliferation.

In a statement issued by Scomi today, Shah Hakim reiterated that he has not been involved in any further investigation into the alleged nuclear proliferation network since the investigation by Polis Di-Raja Malaysia (PDRM), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other autorities in 2004.

Shah Hakim also said he was not notified of the action taken by the US State Department against him. It was reported that the sanctions by the US government meant that individuals designated by the censure order are banned from any involvement of business with the US government. In the statement, Scomi also highlighted that on Feb 20, 2004, the PDRM issued a press statement absolving Scomi from any violation of laws under the Non-Proliferation Treaty or the Additional Protocol thereto.

"At such time, the company was informed that the IAEA, US Government and other foreign authorities had ceased their investigations into the company, being satisfied that it had been deceived into manufacturing the semi-finished machine parts," Scomi said.

Moreover, the then US Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, John Bolton, had made a statement that the United States did not blame the company for the sales and understood that the company may not have known where the goods were bound and that the hallmarks of the international black market was that reputable companies could be made use of in this manner.

This statement was reported in the local daily, The Star on Feb 18, 2004, Scomi said. Scomi added that upon further queries, it was also informed that the designation of Shah Hakim by the US State Department was in respect of his personal capacity and did not involve the company.

Notwithstanding the above assurances, legal advice is currently being sought in addition to clarification from the US State Department, it said. Scomi said it will make appropriate and complete disclosure to the Exchange in a timely manner upon new developments in this matter.

Article from Bernama.com