Highway concessionaire CEO among eight nabbed for bribery involving projects worth RM1.6bil

PUTRAJAYA: Eight people, including a chief executive officer and two senior management of a highway concessionaire, have been remanded, for allegedly accepting bribes involving the construction of two highways in Klang Valley, valued at RM1.6bil.

It is learnt that the CEO, who is a Datuk and the two senior management have been remanded for four days until June 28.

Five others, who are company owners, were remanded for three days until June 27.

The remand order was issued by Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin who allowed applications made by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Sources said the suspects, who are between the ages of 40s and 50s were arrested in an operation codenamed Ops Lintas after they were summoned to the MACC headquarters for their statements to be recorded on Monday (June 25).

“From initial investigations, the three suspects from the highway concessionaire were believed to have asked and received bribes from the company owners.

“The money is believed to be a form of reward for a contract to take over construction works worth RM1bil that was previously carried out by another company,” said a source.

Sources also believe the three suspects had received bribes involving the construction of a section of another highway, also in the Klang Valley, said to be worth RM670mil.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests.