KOTA KINABALU – A former civil servant professing to be a “Datuk” was remanded for six days beginning today for allegedly harbouring the falsification of crude palm oil sales tax declarations every month from the Sabah Finance Ministry.
Magistrate Jessica Ombou Kakayun ordered that the suspect be remanded until May 26, according to Sabah MACC today.
The suspect was represented by Azhier Farhan.
Yesterday, the 66-year-old suspect, who is a former civil servant, was arrested at the Sabah MACC office at about 4pm when he turned up to give his statement.
Sabah MACC director Datuk S. Karunanithy said the arrest of the “Datuk” followed the arrest of a senior government official and a retiree on May 18 for investigation in the same case under Section 17 (a) of the MACC Act 2009.
The court allowed a seven-day remand for the two individuals from May 19 to 25.
Sabah’s Finance Ministry said it would be reviewing its procedures to stem graft activities after three government officials were arrested this week for taking bribes totalling RM700,000.
State secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong said in a statement yesterday that he was taking the matter seriously and instructed Sabah’s Finance Ministry to review and improve all systems and procedures to avoid corrupt practices. – The Vibes, May 21, 2022
