MACC NABS FIVE IN SEPARATE CASES OF CORRUPTION, MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested five individuals in three separate cases involving alleged corruption and misappropriation of funds totalling about RM1.42 million.

In Putrajaya, two senior officers of a government agency, including a director-general, were detained over the alleged misuse of approximately RM900,000 in departmental funds for personal benefit.

In a statement, MACC said the two men, both in their 50s, were arrested when they turned up to give statements at the MACC headquarters at 1 pm today.

“They are suspected of conspiring in 2024 to abuse their positions and divert public funds amounting to RM900,000 for personal benefit. 

“They also allegedly submitted false claims and documents amounting to about RM60,000 to perform the umrah while attending official duties in Jeddah from Jan 29 to Feb 4 last year,” the statement read.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests, saying that the case is being investigated under Sections 18 and 23 of the MACC Act 2009, as well as provisions of the Penal Code related to criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of property. Further arrests have not been ruled out.

In a separate case, MACC arrested a man and a woman in their 40s, including the director of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), for allegedly misappropriating about RM500,000 in public donations between 2022 and 2025.

The duo are believed to have deceived the public into channelling welfare and humanitarian contributions through the NGO, with the funds allegedly not reaching the intended recipients.

MACC has also frozen 13 personal accounts, including Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) and Tabung Haji accounts, involving about RM2 million.

The suspects have been remanded until Feb 14, and the case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

Meanwhile, in Pahang, the MACC enforcers detained an oil palm plantation manager for allegedly soliciting and receiving about RM20,000 in bribes.

The money was believed to have been paid in exchange for allowing two cooperative companies to use estate roads for the collection and transportation of palm oil harvests.

The suspect, in his 30s, allegedly received two cash payments of RM10,000 each between 2023 and 2024. He has been remanded for five days until Feb 15 to facilitate further investigations under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.

-- BERNAMA