PUTRAJAYA: A division secretary of a government agency is among nine people arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on March 17, believed to be part of a syndicate involving misappropriation of state funds amounting to RM100 million.
MACC investigation division director Datuk Azam Baki said the syndicate, which had been operating since 2010, hosted non-existing programmes with payments made to a contractor through the division secretary as the mastermind.
Azam did not rule out the possibility of the syndicate operating prior to 2010, as the division secretary, 56, had been attached to the ministry since 1998.
The mastermind was believed to have received kickbacks amounting to RM20 million.
“We have frozen 69 accounts worth RM8.33 million, houses, cars, clothes, jewellery, expensive watches worth up to RM400,000, Hermes handbags worth RM600,000 and RM300,00 worth of beddings.
“The mastermind also frequently travels with his family via first class tickets costing RM80,000 per person,” he told in a press conference today.
He added the nine arrested included one woman would be remanded for 7 days beginning last Friday.
The case is being investigated under Section 17 (a) MACC Act 2009 and money laundering offences under Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Azam said MACC had been investigating the case for the last four months following a tip-off.