Director held, accounts with RM39mil frozen

PETALING JAYA: A director of a government-linked company (GLC) has been detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged abuse of power and corruption.

Sources said the 50-year-old “Datuk” was picked up at his house in Shah Alam at about 12.30pm yesterday.

He was taken to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to have his statement recorded.

The suspect is expected to be taken to court and remanded to assist in investigations.

Apparently, the MACC froze several bank accounts belonging to the suspect and several of his family members.

Sources said the accounts contained as much as RM39.3mil, believed to be proceeds from questionable deals.

More assets and other properties are expected to be seized.

“We believe the cash is ill-gotten wealth from kickbacks received when he held the position of chief executive officer in a GLC since 2010.

“He resigned from the post last year and was appointed a director in another GLC,” said the source.

The suspect is believed to have awarded projects worth nearly RM50mil to several companies during his stint as the CEO.

Presently, he is still a director in a GLC but it is not known if any “questionable deals” have been awarded.

The MACC is expected to call up and question GLC staff members and other witnesses, as well as contractors who were awarded projects.

The case will be investigated under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act and Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki confirmed the arrest but declined to elaborate as investigations were ongoing.

Azam said MACC was committed to fighting graft and nipping all forms of corruption in the bud.

Last week, the MACC detained a 56-year-old general manager of a GLC at his house in Seremban to assist in a corruption probe.

In that raid, cash amounting to RM30,000, two cars – an Audi TT and a Toyota Hilux – and a Harley Davidson motorcycle were seized while several bank accounts with RM2.5mil were frozen.

Also picked up were a managing director and a chief executive officer – both aged 51 – of two companies.