PETALING JAYA: A Terengganu state executive council member was detained by graft busters for allegedly abusing his position to secure jobs for his two children in state-linked companies.
Sources said the man, in his 60s, was detained at about 11.15am yesterday when he turned up to give his statement at the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Kemaman, Terengganu.
“Initial investigations revealed that the alleged offences took place in 2018 and 2020.
“The suspect is believed to have used his position as an exco member and chairman of the board of a company to instruct that his two children be hired by two subsidiaries of a state government-linked company,” the source said.
Terengganu MACC director Hazrul Shazreen Abd Yazid confirmed the arrest when contacted but declined to name him.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act for abuse of position, adding that the suspect is expected to be charged soon.
Responding to the arrest, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the party respects the investigation process being carried out by the MACC.
“In a country that upholds the rule of law, the principle that must be observed is that a person is not guilty until proven guilty in court.
“The party is remaining calm, and we will leave the matter to the authorities,” he said in a statement, which also did not provide any details about the person.
He added that the exco member does not need to resign, as his role in the state government would not influence the MACC’s investigation in any way.
Two PAS MPs, when contacted, claimed they only knew about the arrests through media reports.
Kuala Terengganu MP Datuk Amzad Hashim said the matter should go through the legal process, adding: “We leave it to the authorities to carry out their duties.”
Setiu MP Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir declined to comment.
“To give comments or take any action is not within our locus standi, as it is a matter for the state’s top leadership,” he said.
