Senior assistant director of statutory body remanded in highway bribery probe

The remand order for the CEO of a highway concessionaire and three company officials was extended to next Tuesday. (MACC pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has obtained a remand order for a senior assistant director of a statutory body on suspicion of receiving more than RM146,000 in bribes from a company as an inducement to secure work for a RM1 billion highway project in the Klang Valley.

Sources said MACC obtained the remand order against the male suspect, in his 40s, until Monday, following an application at the Putrajaya magistrates’ court today.

The suspect, who serves in the statutory body, was detained at the MACC headquarters at about 10pm yesterday, the sources said, adding that the agency believes he received a bribe from a company in return for the contract to construct a highway.

The court also extended the remand of four other suspects, including the CEO of a highway concession company, until Tuesday.

Last Tuesday, MACC obtained remand orders for three officials of the highway concession company, including a CEO, for four days. A fourth company official was remanded a day later.

Sources said the suspects are believed to have solicited and received bribes from companies that took over two highway construction projects in the Klang Valley, worth more than RM1 billion and about RM670 million, respectively.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the remand orders.

The case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.