MACC nabs civil servant for making false RM17,200 claim

KOTA KINABALU: A state civil servant has been arrested by anti-graft investigators on suspicion of making a false claim for RM17,200 for carpentry equipment which was not fully supplied.

Sources said the suspect, in his 50s, was arrested at the Sabah office of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at about 10.40am on Tuesday (Sept 19).

The arrest was made after he was asked by investigators to turn up at the office for his statement to be recorded.

"The suspect, who works in a government department, is believed to have made a false claim to supply carpentry equipment to students at a training centre in Sabah in 2017," the source said.

State MACC director Datuk S. Karunanithy confirmed the arrest when contacted, and said the case was being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

He said the suspect was released on bail of RM5,000 without deposit and charges are expected to be filed against him at the Special Corruption Court here on Wednesday (Sept 20).

He also reminded civil servants not to make false claims because it is an offence under the law.