'Datuk' director of ministry division, two other nabbed for graft

PUTRAJAYA: A director of a division within a ministry, who has a Datuk title, is among three individuals who were arrested for allegedly accepting large amounts of monthly bribes from contractors who were awarded projects by the ministry.

The other two are a project consultant and a director of a construction firm.

All three suspects are in their 40s.

They were arrested on Tuesday (Jan 18) after being summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for their statements to be recorded.

According to sources, the payments were from contractors who the suspects had helped to expedite claim payments, helped obtain approval for variation orders and to obtain extensions of time for their projects.

A source said that the division director, aside from receiving monthly payment, was also presented with expensive and luxury items for his personal use.

Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin allowed for the director to be remanded for seven days while the other two will be held for three days beginning Wednesday (Jan 18).

MACC senior director of investigation Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim confirmed the arrests and said the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.