By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Dec 9: A company director with the title ‘Datuk’ who was detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over a RM250 million corruption probe has been released from remand, while the remand for a Public Works Department (JKR) engineer involved in the case has been extended for another three days until December 12.
The company director, represented by counsels Roger Chin and Daniel Ling, was detained alongside the civil servant as part of investigations into allegations of bribery in the awarding of construction projects in Sarawak.
Both suspects were initially remanded for four days.
The JKR engineer, represented by counsels Steven Beti and Gerald Empaling Donald, is now required to remain in custody as investigators delve further into the case.
The suspects are accused of manipulating tender processes and accepting bribes in exchange for awarding lucrative public works contracts between 2022 and 2024.
Investigations have revealed links to 38 construction projects worth RM250 million, involving 24 companies allegedly controlled by the primary suspect.
The MACC is examining suspicious financial transactions, including RM13.7 million in cash withdrawals through 459 cheque transactions. Investigators are also pursuing leads related to payments made to and from companies tied to the suspects.
MACC investigators are working to gather more evidence, including tender documents and financial records, and to identify other individuals linked to the case. They are also conducting searches and interviews with contractors involved in the projects.
The MACC revealed that some funds linked to the suspected syndicate have already been seized, while efforts are ongoing to trace additional assets and cash. Investigators are also scrutinizing suspicious payments to four companies and plan to interview key witnesses and accomplices who remain at large.
The case is being investigated under Section 17 of the MACC Act 2009, which pertains to the solicitation and acceptance of bribes. — DayakDaily
