Datuk remanded over false claim

Graft case: One of the suspects being led away after the MACC obtained the remand order from the Magistrate’s Court in Johor Baru. — Bernama

JOHOR BARU: The former chairman and the treasurer of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) have been remanded to help in an investigation into a false claim filed with a government agency here.

The duo are said to have made the claim of RM11,000 in January 2021 for the supply of items for a treatment and recovery programme organised by the agency, but the items were never delivered.Magistrate Mohd Zulhilmi Ibrahim granted the seven-day remand order against the 47-year-old ex-chairman, who carries the title “Datuk”, and the treasurer, 43, yesterday.

The two suspects were arrested by the state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Sunday after having their statements recorded.

Johor MACC director Datuk Azmi Alias confirmed the arrest.

The case is being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 for providing documents that are false or contain false details with the intention of deceiving the principal.

On an unrelated matter, a 22-year-old man was arrested by police for possessing 2.15kg of marijuana worth an estimated RM5,000.

Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat said the man was picked up around 9.40pm on Saturday during a raid.

“We found the drugs on the suspect,” he said in a statement yesterday, adding that police also seized RM1,100 in cash.

ACP Raub said the suspect, who tested negative for drugs, had a criminal record for drug and theft offences.

The suspect has been remanded until Saturday and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty upon conviction.

In Kulai, police seized fireworks worth over RM220,000 in a raid around 4.30pm on Sunday following a tip-off.

Kulai OCPD Supt Tok Beng Yeow said a 25-year-old man was detained.

“We seized 8,217 pieces of fireworks of various types from a shophouse,” he added.

Supt Tok said the suspect, a local, was arrested as he could not produce any documents and failed to adhere to the requirements for his business licence.

The suspect has been remanded for three days until tomorrow.

The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957, which carries seven years’ imprisonment, a RM10,000 fine or both, upon conviction.