One more arrested by MACC in highway project probe

KUALA LUMPUR: One more suspect has been detained by graft busters for allegedly accepting bribes over works to complete a RM1bil highway project in the Klang Valley.

The suspect, in his 40s, was detained at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters at about 7pm on Tuesday (June 25).

This brings the total number of suspects to nine individuals.

Sources said the amount of bribes accepted by all suspects was still under investigation but the constructions of the two highway projects were worth almost RM11bil.

The suspect has since been remanded for three days until Friday (June 28) after Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin granted the remand application at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (June 26).

“The suspect has asked and received bribes from several companies in exchange for appointing the companies to complete jobs for a highway project, which was conducted by another company previously.

“The suspect was arrested following the arrests of eight individuals, including a chief executive officer and two senior management of a highway concessionaire in connection with asking and accepting bribes involving two highway projects in the Klang Valley worth RM1.6bil,” the source said.

Meanwhile, MACC senior investigation director Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim confirmed the latest arrest when contacted.

“The case is classified under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009,” he said.

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It was reported that eight people, including a CEO and two senior management of a highway concessionaire, have been remanded, for allegedly accepting bribes involving the construction of two highways in Klang Valley, valued at RM1.6bil.

It is learnt that the CEO, who is a Datuk and the two senior management have been remanded for four days until June 28.

Five others, who are company owners, were remanded for three days until June 27.

Sources said the suspects, who are between the ages of 40s and 50s were arrested in an operation codenamed Ops Lintas after they were summoned to the MACC headquarters for their statements to be recorded on Monday (June 25).

“From initial investigations, the three suspects from the highway concessionaire were believed to have asked and received bribes from the company owners.

“The money is believed to be a form of reward for a contract to take over construction works worth RM1bil that were previously carried out by another company,” said a source.

Sources also believe the three suspects had received bribes involving the construction of a section of another highway, also in the Klang Valley, said to be worth RM670mil.