Four individuals have been remanded as part of an ongoing corruption probe linked to a RM180 million data centre project in Johor. Among those detained are a contracts manager from a prominent construction firm, his wife, and two company directors. Authorities have yet to disclose the identities of the individuals or further details about the project in question.
According to reports, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) secured a seven-day remand order for the contracts manager, while his wife will be held for three days. The two directors, meanwhile, are remanded for five days. Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin granted the remand orders at the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
All four were arrested in the Klang Valley on Wednesday during a special MACC operation dubbed “Op Ways”, led by the commission’s Investigations Division. The suspects, aged between 40 and 60, are being investigated under Sections 16(a)(A) and 17(A) of the MACC Act 2009, which pertain to bribery and corporate liability.
Sources said the investigation centres on the alleged demand for kickbacks equivalent to 2.5% of each of six tenders linked to the data centre project. The tenders were allegedly awarded to the two companies whose directors are now also in custody.
In a dramatic turn of events, MACC officers discovered that the contracts manager had attempted to burn nearly RM1 million in cash during a raid on his Petaling Jaya residence. According to sources familiar with the matter, the suspect was reportedly in a state of panic when officers arrived, attempting to destroy evidence by setting fire to several bundles of RM100 notes in a bathroom.
A full search of the property uncovered RM7.5 million in cash stored in pillow boxes, along with high-value items including Rolex, Omega and Cartier luxury watches as well as gold coins, rings, and other jewellery. All the items were confiscated by the MACC.
Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests and attempted destruction of evidence. He noted that the latter act may also lead to prosecution under Section 201 of the Penal Code for tampering with evidence, which carries up to seven years in jail and a fine. Nevertheless, Ahmad Khusairi emphasised that the primary focus of the investigation remains under the MACC Act, where the agency is seeking to uncover the full extent of the alleged bribery scheme and corporate involvement.
(Source: The Vibes / The Edge Malaysia)
