PUTRAJAYA – Two individuals, including a director of an enforcement agency, have been remanded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to assist investigations linked to a corruption case involving approval and special exemption to several companies to carry heavy grade oil in national waters.
The enforcement agency director was remanded for four days starting today until December 18, while a company director was remanded for five days until December 19.
Magistrate Shah Wira Abdul Halim issued the remand order after hearing the MACC's application at the Putrajaya magistrates' court today.
According to an MACC source, the two men, aged between 50 and 60, were detained at the MACC headquarters here when they came in to give their statements.
The government agency director was suspected to have received bribes monthly from last year into 2020 from shipping company managers in return for not inspecting ships carrying out refuelling activities in Malaysian waters.
The case is being investigated under Section 16 (a) (A) of the MACC Act 2009.
Meanwhile, a deputy director-general with a Datuk title, who was remanded last Friday over the same case, had his remand extended to December 18.
Four other suspects, including a division secretary of a government department and a shipping company director with the title of Datuk Seri, all of whom were issued a five-day remand from the same date, were released on bail of between RM9,000 and RM15,000.
According to the MACC, the two senior government officials are believed to have abused their positions and power by issuing exemption letters to certain companies without the knowledge and approval of the transport minister.
The act was also carried out without the knowledge of the director-general of the department, who had previously issued an order prohibiting the use of single-hull, double-bottom vessels in transporting heavy grade oil in Malaysian waters. – Bernama, December 15, 2020
