RM2.5 Million Corruption Case: MACC Arrests 13 People, Confiscates RM1.5 Million in Cash
KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested 13 people, including a director and former director of a government agency in the country’s northern region, on suspicion of soliciting and receiving bribes totaling about RM2.5 million.
MACC’s Strategic Communications Division in its statement today informed that the bribe is believed to be an inducement to appoint a company controlled by a cartel agent to monopolize direct appointment work and price bidding at the agency.
According to the statement, all the suspects, consisting of 10 men and three women aged 30 to 60, were arrested between 8 and 11 pm last Monday when they appeared to give evidence at the MACC Perak office.
“Of the 13 people arrested yesterday, eight of them were civil servants, while the other five people were members of the public and company owners.
“Two civil servants and a company director were detained for two days until today, while 10 other people were detained for five days until June 20, after Judge Anis Hanini Abdullah allowed the detention application made by MACC at the Ipoh Magistrate’s Court, Perak yesterday morning,” according to the statement.
The statement also revealed that a preliminary investigation found that all the individuals involved allegedly conspired to commit the act between 2024 and 2026.
“The investigation found that the arrested contractors stated that they had to pay bribes of between 10 to 15 percent to intermediaries, to be given to directors and former directors of government agencies,” according to the statement.
Last Monday, the MACC Investigation Division launched Ops Drain around Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang and Perak to disable the activity.
In this operation, there are a total of 25 locations including housing, offices and government agencies.
As a result of the search, MACC confiscated around RM1.5 million in cash, a luxury watch, two vehicles, a high-powered motorbike and jewelry worth around RM1 million.
The case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
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