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Deputy Public Prosecutor Kevin Morais Is Missing. Here's What We Know About It So Far

Kevin, who was attached with the Attorney-General's Chambers, was reported missing on Friday after he left his Menara Duta residence for work.

Cover image via Astro Awani & AGC

MACC renames moot court after the late Kevin Morais

The moot court, yesterday renamed it to "Kevin Morais Moot Court' in memory of the brutally murdered MACC official.

Image via Malaysiakini

During a memorial service for the late Kevin Morais that was held yesterday, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), took the opportunity to honour the late Deputy Public Prosecutor and vowed to continue fighting against corruption.

MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Shukri Abdul, ended the service by announcing that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy's moot court will now be known as the Kevin Morais Moot Court, an announcement that caused even MACC chief Abu Kassim to tear up.

malaysiakini.com

Meanwhile, Kevin's brother Charles Suresh Morais in his tearful speech, demanded justice for his brother's cruel murder.

"I pray to god that the people who did this to my brother will get the death penalty." said Kevin.

malaysiakini.com

28 SEPT: 8 suspects, including army doctor, charged in 2 separate courts for Kevin Morais murder

Six men were charged today with murdering deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Anthony Kevin Morais, while an army doctor and a mechanic were charged with abetting the murder.

According to the news website, pathologist Dr R. Kunasegaran was charged with abetment, while the six charged with murdering Morais on September 4 somewhere along Jalan Dutamas Raya in Sentul and Jalan USJ 1/6D in Subang Jaya were G. Govindan, 47; S. Nimalan, 22; S. Subramaniam, 44; A. Thinesh Kumar, 22; M. Vishwanath, 44; and R. Dinishw‎aran, 22.

National news agency Bernama tweeted that a mechanic was charged at the Petaling Jaya magistrate court today with abetment.

themalaymailonline.com

All of them face a mandatory death penalty upon conviction

The charges were read to all the accused in Bahasa Malaysia and they nodded to indicate their understanding.

All the accused appeared emotionless except Nimalan, who had his head hung low during the court proceedings.

Kevin’s brother, Richard, appeared angry and heaved while the charges were read out to the accused.

No plea was recorded as deputy public prosecutors Datuk Abdul Razak Musa, Manoj Kurup and Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar asked for another date pending submission of medical reports and other relevant documents.

therakyatpost.com

21 SEPT: Two new suspects wanted for Kevin Morais murder probe

Dinishwaran (middle) and Vishwanath (right).

Image via SAYS

Police are looking for two men to facilitate investigations into the murder of deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Kevin Anthony Morais, whose body was found in a cement-filled oil drum in Subang Jaya last Wednesday.

Kuala Lumpur police CID chief Datuk Zainuddin Ahmad said the duo from Kedah could shed light on the police probe into the case.

They are Vishwanath Murugaya, 25 (IC No: 901105025131), whose last known address is Taman Desa Karangan, Sg Karangan, Kedah; and Dinishwarana Raman, 23 (IC No: 921117025903), whose last known address is Batu Pekaka Estate, Kedah.

themalaysianinsider.com

Anyone with information on their whereabouts can call Sentul police headquarters at 03-40482222 or investigating officer ASP Wan Abdullah at 012-3482737.

So far, seven people have been remanded, including an army medical officer that was charged with engaging in unlawful trade while being a government servant.

thestar.com.my

16 SEPT: Police confirm body found in barrel is that of Kevin Morais

Federal CID director Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh (left) says Kevin Anthony Morais's remains are found in a drum in USJ 1.

Image via TMI

Police today confirmed that missing deputy public prosecutor Kevin Anthony Morais was murdered after human remains were found in a concrete-filled drum in USJ1, Subang Jaya, 12 days after he went missing.‎

Federal CID director Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh said that the main suspect had led police to the swampy area, where the drum, containing Morais’s body, was dumped.

themalaysianinsider.com

He said following the arrests of seven including a woman and a child, police got crucial information which led to the discovery.

"Initially CCTV footage showed that Morais' car was trailed by a Mitsubishi Triton who rammed into his government issued Proton Perdana. He was abducted after the collision and a suspect drove Morais’s car off while he was taken in the Mitsubishi Triton," he said adding that the body has been sent to Hospital Kuala Lumpur for post mortem.

thestar.com.my

“We believe it has to do with a case in the Shah Alam court that Morais was involved in. The suspect was involved in a corruption case that Morais was prosecuting,” he said at the scene today.

"We believe the other suspects were contracted by this suspect to kidnap him. The suspects have been remanded for 14 days to help investigations," he said adding that the woman and child are the wife and child of one of the suspects.

The detainees include a woman and a child, but Mohmad said they were not directly involved in the case but were picked up along with seven others. "Only one had a criminal record," he said, adding that they were arrested around Rawang and the Klang Valley.

themalaysianinsider.com

Police probing Kevin Morais case find body in oil barrel

Firefighters seen at the location where a barrel was found, suspected to contain human remains, in Subang Mewah, USJ 1, In Subang Jaya.

Image via NST

Investigators probing the disappearance of deputy public prosecutor Kevin Morais reportedly found a body frozen in concrete in an oil drum in Subang Jaya this morning.

The deceased has yet to be identified, police sources say. The oil drum was found behind a school at USJ 1.

malaysiakini.com

It is learnt that police investigations into the case have led them to the area in USJ1, where scores of police personnel, including forensic teams and members of the Fire and Rescue Department have gathered since early this morning.

Currently, the Fire and Rescue Department are carrying out drilling work ‎to break open the drum, which they had found in the bushes in the area.

themalaysianinsider.com

Berita Harian reported that the Fire and Rescue Department personnel have since managed to break open the oil drum that was filled with cement.

It also said the body found in the oil drum will be sent to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur for forensic tests. No official statement on the identity of the body has been reported to be made yet.

themalaymailonline.com

Police have cordoned off the road leading to the area where the drum was found while media personnel were allowed only up to 100 metres from the area. The area where the human remains was found is a secluded part behind a Chinese primary school. The road leads to a dead end.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Tajuddin Md Isa and CID chief Datuk Zainuddin Ahmad, who is heading the investigations into Morais's abduction, are at the scene. Federal CID director Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh is expected to give a press conference later on the findings.

themalaysianinsider.com

Police have set up a temporary camp where they found a body in an oil barrel.

Image via Malay Mail Online

Morais was last seen on Sept 4 when he left his residence in Menara Duta in a grey Proton Perdana to his office in Putrajaya.

Police earlier said CCTV footage showed he was intercepted by a vehicle at Bangsar, and pulled out of his car by several men in full view of motorists during the morning rush hour.

malaysiakini.com

CCTV footage suggests Kevin Morais was intercepted and kidnapped in Bangsar

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Kevin Morais is believed to have been taken by several individuals at Jalan Telawi, Berita Harian reported.

The CCTV recording showed that Morais’ car was blocked by another car, before the prominent DPP was pulled out and abducted, Bernama reported Khalid as saying.

There has been no demands for ransom, he said.

Police have yet to ascertain if the burnt car found in a palm oil plantation in Kampung Sungai Samak in Hilir Perak belonged to Morais.

malaysiakini.com

9 SEPT: IGP Khalid: "We have leads to believe that Kevin Morais was abducted"

Image via The Malay Mail

Bukit Aman is now investigating the mysterious disappearance of government lawyer Anthony Kevin Morais as an abduction case, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed today.

The case was initially filed as a missing person’s report by the deputy public prosecutor’s elder brother on Saturday, a day after he had disappeared after leaving his home in Segambut here for his office at the Attorney-General’s Chambers in Putrajaya.

“It is no more a case of a missing person. We have leads to believe that he was abducted,” Khalid was quoted by news portal The Malaysian Insider as telling reporters in Penang.

themalaymailonline.com

Kuala Lumpur CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Zainuddin Ahmad said CCTV footage of major roads from the city to Hutan Melintang showed that Morais was believed to have been kidnapped.

"That is the latest lead that we got. We will give more details once new leads emerge," he said when contacted on Wednesday. He also lambasted those who spread rumours that Morais' body was discovered in Sungai Klang.

"That rumour in certain media and blogs are totally untrue. We are pooling our resources to find him as soon as possible," he said.

thestar.com.my

The burnt grey Proton Perdana bearing the registration number WA6264Q.

Image via The Star

The case is now being probed under Section 365 of the Penal Code, which states that the kidnapping or abduction of a person with intent to cause the person’s secret and wrongful confinement is liable to a maximum seven-year jail term and a fine.

themalaymailonline.com

Police rules out kidnapping as cause of DPP Kevin Morais' disappearance

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said this was because his family and closest friends had not received any demand for ransom from any party.

“His case is still classified as that of a missing person and I urge the parties concerned against speculating on the case, as this can affect police’s investigations. The police will investigate the case from every angle and treat it seriously until Morais is found,” he said.

Noor Rashid said police would also analyse Morais’ travel routes and places he often visited to help in the investigation.

Yesterday, 8 September, the police set up a special task force to investigate Morais’ disappearance, which is headed by Kuala Lumpur CID chief Zainuddin Ahmad.

freemalaysiatoday.com

Deputy IGP Noor Rashid also said that the police will be investigating the case from every possible angle, including a news portal's report of an alleged link between the 2013 murder of Arab-Malaysian Development Bank Founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi and Morais' disappearance

Kevin Morais (left) and Hussain Ahmad Najadi (right)

Image via The Rakyat Post / Bloomberg

A portal quoted Hussain’s son Pascal as saying Morais might have knowledge about a meeting involving Hussain, his wife Chong Mei Kuen over a land deal at a temple on July 29, 2013.

“Whatever we do, we have to base it on facts. We can’t just give statements as Kevin is still missing,” he told a press conference.

thestar.com.my

Morais' family members urge the public to stop spreading conspiracy theories over his disappearance on social media, calling them "deeply disturbing"

“I hope everyone out there can stop coming out with conspiracy theories on how and when my brother went missing. It is a very trying time for the family so I hope people can understand and not take advantage of this episode,” Morais' brother Richard said.

Richard said the police should be allowed to investigate the matter.

“I am sure they will get the answers. I have faith the police will be able to find my brother,” he said.

thestar.com.my

7 SEPT: IGP advises people to stop spreading rumours about DPP Kevin Morais' disappearance

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar

Image via The Malay Mail Online

"Police have advised that the spread of the rumours must stop as it could confuse the people," he said on his official Twitter today.

Khalid was commenting on the writing of a Twitter user, which alleged the car found in Hutan Melintang, Perak this morning belonged to Morais, who was involved in 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) investigations.

The owner of the Twitter account using the name @raishussin wrote: "DPP Kevin Morais who was in charge of 1MDB investigation is now missing and his car was found burnt (at Hutan Melintang)."

However, police have not confirmed or denied that the vehicle found belonged to the missing DPP.

themalaysianinsider.com

DPP's brother requests more authoritative efforts in search mission

Deputy Public Prosecutor Kevin Morais

Image via Free Malaysia Today

Speaking to The Star from Georgia, the United States, Charles Morais said he last spoke to the 55-year-old on Thursday and was now grasping for any information relating to his brother’s disappearance.

He pleaded with Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar to increase efforts to find Kevin.

“I believe he is still alive, but I am afraid of what they might do to him,” said Charles. “He must have made enemies via his job.”

Charles said his brother kept anything related to his work secret.

A relative described Kevin as an “ordinary man” who sought no controversies or problems in his life.

“He wasn’t the kind of man who picked fights; he’s not like that. His law pursuit was his main thing. He was consumed by his law calling,” said the relative.

thestar.com.my

6 SEPT: With DPP still missing, Police not ruling out criminal elements linked to the burnt car

Image via The Rakyat Post

Police are not ruling out elements of crime involving a car found razed, possibly linked to missing deputy public prosecutor Kevin Anthony Morais as it could be a meticulously planned criminal act by parties concerned. Hilir Perak police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said this was because police had yet to find any evidence at the scene.

“We have requested assistance from the Forensic Department to confirm the identity of the car. But so far we have been unsuccessful in finding the chassis number of the vehicle. This shows the crime was carefully planned such that we cannot even find the chassis number,” he told reporters at the search and rescue operation centre in Hutan Melintang here today.

therakyatpost.com

Meanwhile, Azam Baki, Head of Investigation in the MACC, described Kevin as a close friend and said the missing DPP was very dedicated and committed person in the line of his duty

Datuk Azam Baki.

Image via Antarapos

“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) hopes the deputy head of the appellate and trial division in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Anthony Kevin Morais, who was reported missing since Friday, 4 September 2015, will be found safely and as quickly as possible.

“I myself know Kevin Morais well since his service at MACC and hope all will pray for his safety,” Azam said in a media statement this evening. “During his tenure as deputy public prosecutor for MACC, Kevin Morais handled many high-profile cases and even now, still handles several cases involving the MACC,” Azam said.

However, the senior MACC official asked speculators to desist from spreading rumours and linking the disappearance of Morais to any ongoing investigations on government leaks by the commission or the police.

themalaymailonline.com

Previously...

Kevin Anthony Morais, a prominent Deputy Public Prosecutor with the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), is reportedly missing since Friday morning, 4 September. Kevin, who was previously seconded to the MACC, had left for work from his home in Menara Duta near Petaling Jaya on Friday morning but failed to show up at work.

According to a report in The Star, Kevin, who left his residence in Menara Duta at about 9 am, was headed for work in Putrajaya in his Government-issued grey Proton Perdana bearing the registration number WA 6264 Q.

One of Kevin's friend tried contacting him at about 10.30 am and later at 3 pm, but was unable to reach him on both occasions. He then called up Kevin's office and was informed by his secretary that he did not turn up for work that day.

After which, the friend, who remains unnamed in The Star's report, then called a relative of Kevin, who then lodged a police report at the Jinjang police station next day, 5 September. Sentul OCPD Asst Comm R. Munusamy‎ confirmed the police report.

The Deputy Public Prosecutor is in his 50s. The missing report was lodged by his elder brother, Richard Morais, who declined to comment on his brother's disappearance, saying, "I don't want to say anything, we leave it to the police to investigate."

According to an MACC spokesperson, Kevin had returned to the Attorney-General's Chambers "more than a year ago". He is presently the trials and appeals division Deputy Head at the AGC.

Kevin is currently the Prosecutor handling the former Sime Darby Bhd CEO Ahmad Zubair at Ahmad Zubir Murshid’s criminal breach of trust case, Malaysiakini reported.

According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), Kevin was believed to be part of the team in the investigations into the 1MDB affair and the RM2.6 billion found in PM Najib's private banking accounts. He was also amongst the AGC officers who were questioned in regard to the leak of the purported charge sheet against the PM, FMT reported.

However, according to The Malaysian Insider, Kevin was not part of the team investigating 1MDB's former subsidiary, SRC International. SAYS, in the meantime, cannot independently verify which of the two information is correct at this moment.

Kuala Lumpur police have engaged their counterparts in other states to help in the search. According to City police CID chief Zainuddin Ahmad, any abnormalities or incidences that occurred within the period of Kevin's disappearance are being checked, including the discovery of a burnt Proton Perdana car in Kampung Sungai Samak, Hutan Melintang, early Saturday, 5 September.

The burnt Proton Perdana car, the same make as the one used by Kevin, was found in Hutan Melintang, 5 Sept.

Image via Astro Awani

Hilir Perak district police chief, ACP Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the vehicle was discovered by members of the public around 10am. “They then contacted the police,” he told Astro AWANI.

He said based on the physical characteristics, the car looked like a Honda Accord but the identification process, as well as on the car’s chassis number is still ongoing. On the possibility that the car might have belonged to Morais, Mohd Shuhaily said investigations were ongoing on this.

“Due to the impact of the fire, the vehicle was completely charred and forensics couldn’t identify the chassis number. So we are still trying to find other ways to identify the vehicle,” he said.

Initial investigations also didn’t find any other marks in the vehicle. “There were no bodies, just the car,” Mohd Shuhaily added.

astroawani.com

The Malaysian Insider quoted Zainuddin as saying:

"We do not know yet if it belonged to the missing man (Kevin Morais) because we could not identify the make and the registration number.

At the moment, I was told only a frame of a car was found. So far, they did not find any trace of bones or human remains in the vehicle."

Image via FMT

This is a developing news story. Please come back for more.

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