PUTRAJAYA – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) detained a chief executive officer of a private company late last night on suspicion of being a middleman in the distribution of government projects under the economic stimulus package between 2020 and 2022.
A source from the MACC said the 42-year-old man, who is believed to have accepted bribes to serve as the middleman in the projects involved, was arrested after having his statement recorded at the agency’s headquarters here.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrest when contacted today, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 16(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
The Putrajaya magistrates’ court here allowed the man to be remanded from today until January 10 to allow the MACC to complete the investigation papers.
Last month, the MACC issued a statement over the investigation that was focused on government funds amounting to RM92.5 billion under the economic stimulus and recovery initiative.
It said initial investigations revealed that the amount of allocation was estimated at RM530 billion, and based on that amount only RM92.5 billion involved government funds while the rest did not.
According to a source from the MACC, the investigation body has opened several investigation papers against at least five individuals believed to be middlemen to several companies to obtain projects worth between RM50 million and RM500 million through direct negotiations.
“Contractors who have been questioned so far admitted that they agreed to pay a commission of 3-5%,” said the source. – Bernama, January 6, 2023
