Water company bigwigs nabbed

Water company bigwigs nabbed

JOHOR BARU: The chief executive officer and owner of a water supply company have been remanded for three days for allegedly taking bribes and making false claims.

The two men, aged 38 and 35, were arrested at the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office at about 4pm on Tuesday.

Their arrest followed an investigation launched after several complaints were lodged in 2023, alleging that both men received bribes from the owners of two companies as inducements to help them get contracts to provide services and supply for the water company.

Both suspects were also said to be involved in giving false detailswhen applying for a RM3.3mil allocation to fund a programme that was not fully carried out.

Johor MACC director Datuk Azmi Alias confirmed that the two suspects were detained under Sections 16(a)(A) and 18 of the MACC Act.

The Johor Baru magistrate’s court allowed a three-day remand order to hold the duo starting yesterday until May 3.

On Tuesday, the MACC reportedly also arrested two high-ranking officers of a water supply company in Johor.

The male suspects, aged 36 and 40, were also detained at the Selangor MACC office at around 2pm on Monday and were believed to be involved in the same case.

In KOTA BARU, the MACC detained a senior officer of the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) on suspicion of making false claims last year.

Sources reported that the man, in his 40s, was arrested at 9.30pm after being summoned to the MACC office for questioning.

“The officer is believed to have engaged in falsifying claims last year and this year, related to various Kada-sponsored programmes,” a source said.

MACC Kelantan director Rosli Husain confirmed the arrest and said the senior officer was presented at a Kota Baru court yesterday for a remand order, to facilitate investigations under Section 18 of the MACC Act.