KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested two individuals, including the former political secretary to a former senior minister, on suspicion of soliciting and accepting bribes related to an RM80 million project.
According to Berita Harian, the duo were arrested at about 11pm last night as they were summoned to the MACC Putrajaya office for questioning.
Sources told the daily that the project in question centres around the printing of books worth approximately RM80 million and is associated with a government ministry, conducted through direct negotiations.
“The first suspect, in his 20s, also formerly served as the political secretary to a former senior minister, while the second suspect is a company owner in his late 50s.
“They are believed to have conspired with the former senior minister to request and receive bribes through the second suspect’s company from the contractor in exchange for approving the book printing project via direct negotiations,” the source was quoted as saying
Meanwhile, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Sri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, who confirmed the arrests, said the case was being investigated under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.
Meanwhile, the Registrar of the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court granted MACC’s request this morning to detain the two suspects for four days, from today until September 26.
Previously, a party’s information chief had urged the MACC to investigate a controversy involving a senior minister from the previous government.
This controversy is said to revolve around the awarding of school maintenance contracts as well as the printing of J-Qaf books, with allegations that the minister had obtained funds from individuals holding the Datuk ranks who secured all school maintenance projects. – September 23, 2023