PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested two men, including a managing director of a company, for soliciting and accepting about RM1mil in bribes.
A source said the suspects are believed to have obtained the bribe from a sand supplier company director in exchange for not reporting alleged corrupt activities to the authorities.
The two men, both in their 50s, were arrested separately between 2pm and 8pm on Thursday (April 2) at a restaurant in Penang and at the state MACC office.
"Preliminary investigations found that the two suspects – an unemployed man believed to be the main suspect and a managing director of a sand supply company – allegedly committed the offence in March.
"In a special operation by the MACC Intelligence Division, the main suspect was arrested at a restaurant where three cheques worth about RM1mil were handed over to him," the source said.
The source added that the main suspect is also believed to have threatened to lodge a report with the MACC if the payment was not made.
Several items, including three cheques worth about RM1mil and four mobile phones, were seized during the operation.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests when contacted on Friday (April 3), adding that the case is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009.
"So far, one witness has had a statement recorded," he said.
