CEO of highway concessionaire released on bail after MACC arrest last week

PETALING JAYA: The chief executive officer of a highway concessionaire has been released on bail after he was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in an alleged bribery case involving highway contracts worth RM1.67bil.

According to The Edge, the chief executive officer who has a “Datuk” title, was released on Monday (July 1), just a day before his extended eight-day remand order which expires on Tuesday (July 2).

Arrested last Monday (June 24), he was originally remanded till Friday (June 28), until a remand extension order was obtained by the court.

It is learnt that he was released at the Magistrate’s Court here about 3pm after posting RM20,000 of a RM150,000 bail, according to his lawyer Farhan Read when contacted by the portal.

Meanwhile, the RM130,000 balance is an unsecured bond and only needs to be paid by the CEO if he fails to check in at the MACC’s headquarters once a month.

The CEO was arrested along with two other senior officials from the company.

It was earlier reported that the bribes were a “reward’ for the awarding of contracts related to two highways in the Klang Valley area, the first highway valued at over RM1bil and the other, over RM650mil.

Five others were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the case. They are the owner and management staff of a construction company involved in the highway project.

In a statement, Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas) said it was "aware that our personnel have been remanded by MACC to assist in an ongoing investigation relating to a construction case".

"We are committed and are working closely with all relevant authorities to ensure full cooperation in facilitating the investigation.

“Prolintas continues to be committed to maintaining the highest levels of integrity and corporate governance.” Prolintas added.

Highways operated by Prolintas include the Guthrie Corridor Expressway, Kemuning-Shah Alam Highway (LKSA) and Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh).

The company also operates the Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (SILK), Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH) and Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE).

The case is being investigated under Section 16 (a)(A) of the MACC Act for soliciting or receiving gratification.