Civil servant Datuk held by MACC over fraud

KUALA LUMPUR: A senior civil servant with a Datuk title was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for her alleged involvement in Government procurement fraud.

A source said the 60-year-old was picked up from her house in the Klang Valley during an operation codenamed Ops Tiris early yesterday morning.

A 59-year-old man from the private sector, who is a former Government officer, was also picked up from his home in the Klang Valley.

The duo was believed to be involved in choosing certain companies without going through the proper tender procedure to operate more than 40 retail outlets at Government hospitals nationwide.

They have been remanded for two days.

The source said the case involved some RM20mil worth of bribes.

It is learnt that the case was being investigated under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

The source said two others, aged between 30 and 40, including a woman, were also picked up to assist in investigation.

A local daily reported that MACC discovered five cases of fraud that cost the Government RM20mil.