MELAKA: A Bersatu senior leader who carries the title Datuk Seri has been remanded for six days to assist in an investigation into a land reclamation project worth RM44mil.
Magistrate Sharda Sheinha Mohd Suleiman issued the remand order against the 61-year-old for him to be under the custody of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) until Sunday.
The suspect was arrested at 4.55pm on Monday when he turned up at the state MACC office.
It has been learnt that the individual, who is also the director of a company, is being investigated under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009 for soliciting and accepting bribes.
Sources with knowledge of the investigation said the suspect is alleged to have accepted bribes in the form of assets involving four luxury cars in return for the land reclamation project.
Melaka MACC chief Adi Supian Shafie confirmed the arrest.
The MACC also recorded statements from the suspect’s immediate family members and subsequently released them on Monday night.
Meanwhile, three Immigration officers were arrested as part of an investigation into a RM10mil corruption case, believed to be linked to a syndicate involved in smuggling foreign nationals through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminals 1 and 2.
All three were arrested on Monday in an operation carried out by the MACC in Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Johor and Kuala Lumpur, Bernama reported.
The three, including a woman in her 40s, are believed to have been involved in smuggling foreigners without screening by authorities at the country’s entry points between 2021 and 2024.
The syndicate is believed to have earned millions of ringgit in bribes, which were also dispensed to other Immigration personnel.
They are accused of acting as middlemen to facilitate foreign nationals’ entry without following the required procedures through a modus operandi known as “counter setting” at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2.
Following the arrests, the MACC seized several valuables, including jewellery and cash, and it is currently reviewing several bank accounts believed to be connected to the suspects.
All three have been remanded until April 21, to facilitate further investigations under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
Pahang MACC director Mohd Shukor Mahmud confirmed the arrests.
