MELAKA: A 62-year-old managing director of a private company in Selangor is the third individual arrested by graft busters here in an ongoing title-for-sale investigation.
The man was detained by Melaka Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers when he turned up for questioning at 5.35pm on Tuesday (Dec 31).
MACC then obtained a six-day remand order on the suspect at a Magistrate's Court in Ayer Keroh here on Wednesday (Jan 1) to assist in the investigation of a corruption case allegedly involving the acquisition of the title "Datuk Seri" from another state in 2022.
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The suspect is being investigated for soliciting and accepting bribes amounting to more than RM375,000 from an individual to obtain the title.
The case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
Upon conviction, offenders face a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, and imprisonment of up to 20 years.
Melaka MACC director Adi Supian Shafie confirmed the arrest when contacted.
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Last month, MACC arrested the 54-year-old manager of a private firm and the 46-year-old woman owner of a separate company, both from Selangor, believed to be involved in the title-for-sale racket.
All three suspects allegedly convinced the same victim, a businessman, that they were able to secure the honorary title awarded by another state before allegedly demanding the money as kickbacks.
However, the businessman was not conferred the award despite paying the sum.
