Duo remanded for five days for suspected fraud

MELAKA: A director and general manager of an advertising company were remanded for five days to assist in an investigation related to the submission of false reports on billboard installation projects across the state.

The matter is said to involve claims worth millions of ringgit to a Melaka state government-owned agency over the past three years.

The remand order for the duo was issued by Magistrate Khairunnisak Hassni on Tues (Sept 10).

The suspects, aged 46 and 48 respectively, arrived at the Ayer Keroh Court Complex here escorted by officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The duo were apprehended at 3pm on Monday (Sept 9) after they were summoned to state MACC headquarters in Alai here to assist in the investigation.

Meanwhile, Melaka MACC director, Adi Supian Shafie, confirmed the arrests for investigations under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

If convicted under the section, the two could face a fine of up to five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, and imprisonment of up to 20 years.

MACC initiated a probe into the existence of illegal advertising billboards in the state following two incidents on July 14, where strong wind caused the structures to collapse.

These two structures were located at busy stretches in Bandar Hilir and Jalan Bachang here.

On July 15, Melaka housing, local government and disaster management committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin said the two large structures that collapsed had no permits from the local council before they were erected.