KUALA LUMPUR: Five individuals, including a government agency chairman, have been detained over alleged abuse of power involving land disposal.
It is understood that the land belongs to a Penang-based ministry agency.
The suspects include the chairman, two company directors, a technical manager and a clerk.
Sources said the chairman, a Datuk in his 50s, was detained over allegations that he had abused his position as deputy chairman and board member at the time to approve the sale of eight plots of land in South Seberang Prai to a company which is allegedly linked to an associate.
The chairman is also a state leader of a political party.
The land was reportedly sold in 2015 at a price below market value, resulting in estimated losses of about RM1.96mil.
The five suspects, in their 40s and 50s, were detained separately at the Penang Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office between 11am and noon on Thursday.
MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman, when contacted, confirmed the arrests.
He said the case would be investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009.
All the suspects have been remanded until Aug 24 to assist in the investigation.
