By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Dec 10: A Dato’ Sri has been arrested and granted a five-day remand until Dec 15 in connection with a corruption case involving Sarawak’s Public Works Department (JKR).
The suspect is accused of bribing a JKR Divisional Engineer between 2018 and 2024.
Allegedly, the bribes were in exchange for securing lucrative construction projects for companies under the suspect’s control.
The case is being investigated under Sections 17(a) and 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act 2009.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) stated that the investigation centers on alleged corrupt payments made to influence the tendering process for public construction projects in the Sri Aman district of Sarawak.
On Dec 9, the MACC detained the suspect, another individual believed to be connected to the case.
The suspect was arrested at 6.35pm, and the MACC has requested a seven-day remand to facilitate the investigation. However, the Magistrate’s Court approved a five-day remand.
The corruption probe involves 38 construction projects valued at RM250 million.
Investigators allege that these projects were awarded to 24 companies tied to the suspects through manipulation of the tendering process.
Earlier in the week, a “Datuk” and JKR engineer were arrested on Dec 7.
While the “Datuk” has been released, the engineer’s remand has been extended until Dec 12.
MACC investigators are continuing efforts to gather evidence and secure witness statements.
If convicted, the suspects could face severe penalties under the MACC Act 2009.
The suspect is represented by counsels Roger Chin and Daniel Ling. — DayakDaily
