GEORGE TOWN: Six people, including an assistant special officer to a state executive council member (exco), were detained for allegedly submitting false claims in relation to a hawkers' programme involving bribes to the tune of more than RM80,000.
The six — three men and three women — aged between 25 and 50 were arrested at the state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office yesterday afternoon.
Sources said the six people, including the 42-year-old assistant special officer, were believed to have submitted false details in relation to the supply of equipment involving six companies.
However, the 2020 programme was not implemented.
"Three of the six people detained were released on MACC bail within 24 hours of their arrest.
"Three others, including the assistant special officer to the state exco and a woman, were taken to the Magistrate's Court here this morning for remand," the source said.
Meanwhile, Penang MACC director Lim Bee Kean, when contacted, said the case was being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.
Investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Magistrate R. Manomani today granted a four-day remand order against the trio.
Earlier, the trio were brought to court at about 10.15am, all clad in MACC lock-up attire and with their hands cuffed.
Speaking to newsmen after the proceeding, lawyer M. Puveneswaran, representing the assistant special officer to the state exco, said he had applied for remand to be rejected on grounds that his client had been held for more than 24 hours.
"However, the magistrate said she took into account the travelling time as my client was picked up from his home in Bagan Serai," he said.
Puveneswaran also said his client had been working with the state exco for more than three years now.
"He (my client) told the court that he is still getting his salary," he said, adding that his client could have been suspended from his duties.