MACC: 19 contractors arrested for falsifying bank statements

KOTA KINABALU: Nineteen contractors have been arrested for allegedly using false bank statements in their bid to secure projects worth RM49mil from the Sabah Education Department.

The suspects – 10 men and nine women – aged between 24 and 53, were held at the state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office at 10am yesterday.

Sources said their bank statements were believed to have been falsified to reflect strong financial positions in their bid to secure contracts in the state.

When contacted, Sabah MACC director Datuk S. Karunanithy confirmed the arrests and that the suspects would be investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act and Section 471 of the Penal Code for forgery, while adding, “We hope to charge the suspects in court soon.”

Karunanithy said falsification of bank statements was a serious problem in the state.

“There is a need for local contractors to be made aware that it is an offence to falsify documents to secure tenders,” he said.

In 2020, Sabah MACC arrested 39 contractors who falsified their bank statements to obtain tenders for RM80mil worth of government contracts.

He said last year, 132 contractors were charged in court in connection with falsifying documents.

“We view this matter seriously and have put in place some preventive measures to address the issue,” he said.

In August 2020, Karunanithy said MACC, in collaboration with the state Finance Ministry, held dialogues with contractors through an integrity seminar.

On March 27 last year, an Anti-Corruption Forum – The Role of Contractors in Overcoming Graft – was carried out jointly with the Tawau Municipal Council and Construction Industry Development Board.