Corruption: MACC detain man with 'Datuk' title in Penang

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have detained a man with the title 'Datuk' who is a trustee of a foundation with Bumiputera interest on suspicion of abusing his position for personal gain.

The 70-year-old suspect was detained at about 8.30pm last night in George Town, Penang.

According to a source, the suspect's activities were believed to have incurred millions of ringgit to a subsidiary company of the foundation in the past few years.

"The suspect, who is also a businessman, had sold land belonging to a subsidiary company of the foundation without going through the processes and procedures stipulated by the foundation's subsidiary company.

"In addition, the suspect, who is a trustee and director of the foundation's subsidiary company, had made decisions to sell the pieces of land without the knowledge of the Board Members of the foundation's subsidiary company," he told Bernama.

The source said the suspect had sold land belonging to the foundation's subsidiary to a company in which he had an interest at a price which was much lower than the original price.

"After the land had been successfully sold at a price that was much lower than the market price without the knowledge of the Members of the Board, the suspect would receive bribes as rewards from the companies that had bought the land.

"The suspect would receive at least one per cent of the value of the land sold as a reward," it said.

According to the source, the MACC was now in the process of scrutinising the documents seized from the suspect's office in Penang to assist investigation on the case.

MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Azam Baki when contacted by Bernama confirmed the arrest but declined to make further comment.

He said the suspect would be remanded today at the George Town Magistrate's Court. -- Bernama