JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) have arrested the managing director of a company with the title of Datuk, along with its six other executives to help in the investigation into the false claims for road maintenance projects.
Investigation shows that the suspects were involved in making false claims involving the maintenance of rural roads from 2014 until now even though the works were not carried out.
The total cost of the maintenance projects is between RM50 million and RM70 million a year, with claims made for this year alone was RM2 million while the amount for the previous years is still being investigated.
The suspects, five men and two women in their 30s to their 60, are from the same company and were arrested at the Johor MACC office at 9 pm last night to help in the investigation.
According to sources, investigation was still being carried to identify and prove other companies involved in making the claims.
The case is being investigated under Section 19 of the MACC Act 2009 which carries a penalty of a fine of five times the amount bribe or RM10,000, which ever is higher, and jail of not more than 20 years upon conviction.
Johor MACC director Datuk Azmi Alias confirmed the arrests and said three of the suspects had been remanded for six days until this Sunday while three others would be brought to the court tomorrow.
Azmi said the case involved a project to build and maintain rural roads and MACC would not compromise with the actions of employees of the company who disregarded public interest.
He said a total of RM800,000 in cash have been seized in relation to the case and did not discount the possibility that other arrests to follow suit.