KOTA KINABALU: An ex-Sabah Water Department deputy director, previously held to assist an investigation into the mishandling of water projects in the state last year, was detained again today.
A source close to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said the 52-year-old suspect was detained in the state capital at 12.30pm.
"MACC is expected to bring him to court to be charged tomorrow," said the source.
On October 4 last year, MACC launched a probe into misappropriation of funds involving several department staff. In the first phase of the operation, RM53 million cash was seized from two suspects.
In the second phase this January, the commission apprehended 35 district and division heads of the department to assist investigations.
It proved to be the biggest case in the country involving seized cash since MACC was formed.
On Dec 29 last year, former Sabah Water Department director Awang Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib, 54, his wife Fauziah Piut, 51, as well as another former department deputy director Lim Lam Beng, 62, pleaded not guilty to 37 charges of mishandling of funds involving RM61.57 million at the Sessions Court here.
The court fixed the case to be heard on February 5 next year.