ARMY PROCUREMENT PROJECTS: MACC DETAINS 17 COMPANY DIRECTORS

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has remanded 17 company directors suspected of being involved in a cartel network for the Malaysian Army procurement tenders.

The MACC, in a statement on social media TikTok, announced that the five-day remand order until Jan 10 (Saturday) was issued by Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah after an application was made by the MACC at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning.

“All suspects, consisting of nine men and eight women aged between 20 and 60, were detained between 8.30 pm and 11.30 pm yesterday when they appeared to give statements at the MACC Putrajaya office.

“Initial investigations found that all suspects were believed to have paid bribes to senior officers of the Malaysian Army (TDM) in return for obtaining supply and maintenance projects with TDM,” the statement said.

MACC Investigation Division senior director Datuk Zainul Darus when contacted confirmed the arrest and informed that the case was being investigated under Section 16(b) of the MACC Act 2009.

On Dec 29, MACC seized six bank accounts believed to belong to a senior Army officer and his family members to assist in the investigation into a corruption case involving the procurement of Malaysian Army projects.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 in relation to the case.

On Dec 23, MACC officers visited the Ministry of Defence and focused on projects implemented through open tender procurement methods and procurement under the Army Responsibility Centre (PTJ).

-- BERNAMA