KUALA LUMPUR: A chairman of a prominent local bank, with a title of 'Tan Sri', has been arrested the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) this afternoon.
MACC Investigation Division director Datuk Azam Baki confirmed the arrest, stating that it was in relations to abuse of power and corruption case involving a RM15 million book publication project.
According to Bernama, the suspect, in his 60s was picked up at the bank's headquarters at 1.15pm.
However, Azam denied a report stating that the MACC had frozen the suspect's bank account said to contain nearly RM1 million.
It was learnt that the suspect had allegedly conspired with two lawyers to open two law firms to secure a tender to publish a book on a national figure.
It was also understood that he had allegedly used the law firms' bank accounts to keep money gained from the project, before channeling it to other accounts.
On Friday, MACC secured a three-day remand order against the bank's managing director, who has a 'Datuk' title, and three others to facilitate their probe into alleged graft and abuse of power case.
The three others were a former bank officer, a director of a publishing company and an employee.
It was reported that the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for suspicion of receiving bribes.
The Datuk were among eight people, aged between 32 and 48, arrested in an operation launched by the anti-graft body between 2pm Thursday and 2.30am Friday around the city.
Anti-graft agents seized six watches worth about RM20,000 each and cash totalling RM30,000 from the 48-year-old 'Datuk' in the operation.