Datuk and three others held over alleged RM2.6 million false claims and bribery

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained four individuals, including a man holding the title of Datuk, in connection with a bribery case and the submission of fraudulent claims amounting to RM2.6 million.

Sources from the MACC confirmed that the group arrested consists of two company directors and two senior vice presidents, all aged between 50 and 60. The investigation focuses on alleged misconduct involving both bribery and the falsification of company financial records.

According to reports, the Datuk, who serves as one of the company's directors, is accused of collaborating with another company director to bribe an official from a major Malaysian multinational corporation in order to secure a land sale tender for property in Klang.

Bernama reported the alleged bribe was purportedly intended to ensure that the tender for the land deal was awarded to their company.

Preliminary investigations by the MACC suggest that the two company directors, in collaboration with the two senior vice presidents, submitted fraudulent documents that facilitated the withdrawal of RM2.6 million from the company’s funds.

These funds were then reportedly transferred to another company’s account under suspicious circumstances.

The suspects were taken into custody between 5pm and 8pm on Monday while they were at the MACC headquarters, giving their statements to investigators.

Among those arrested, the Datuk has been remanded for five days, with his detention set to last until February 17, while, the remaining three suspects—two men and one woman—are held for four days, with their remand scheduled to end on February 16.

The company’s accounts manager, who is also implicated in the case, has been released on bail.

The MACC confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that the individuals are being investigated under Section 16(b)(A) and Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which address the criminal offenses of bribery and submitting false claims.

MACC's Investigation Division Senior Director, Datuk Zainul Darus, also confirmed the arrests, emphasising that the case is being handled with the utmost seriousness as part of the commission's continued efforts to combat corruption and financial misconduct in the corporate sector.  – February 13, 2025