KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained two people suspected of involvement in the purchase of an upmarket London hotel by the Felda Investment Corporation (FIC).
In a statement, the MACC said both individuals were detained at the MACC office at about 1pm after they attended an investigation session over the purchase of the four-star hotel in Kensington between 2013 and 2015.
"(The two) arrested were the director of a 45-year-old asset management consultancy company and the Property Unit Head of a 36-year-old postal service company.
"When the hotel was purchased, each was the chief corporate adviser and director (respectively) of the Raine and Horne company," the statement said.
Based on investigations, both are suspected of having manipulated the price of the hotel to the point where the FIC overpaid by tens of millions of ringgit.
"As of today, the investigating team has recorded (statements from) 11 witnesses. Following today's arrests, the MACC does not rule out the possibility that more will be summoned to testify to assist in the investigation," it said.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operation) Datuk Azam Baki confirmed the arrests and said they believe the two suspects could provide information on the purchase of the hotel.
He said both are expected to be brought to court tomorrow for remand applications to assist the MACC, before further action is taken by the investigating team.