A government-linked company managing director with a 'Datuk' title was detained by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission today for alleged abuse of power and graft.

MACC investigation director Datuk Azam Baki said the man was detained at his office in a banking company in the federal capital at 2 pm, after receiving a public tip off.

"He is believed to have been involved in the bank system exchange tender and the publishing of a book on a national leader.

"RM15 million was given to a publishing company owned by an individual with interests to the Datuk but until today, no books have been published," he told Bernama.

Following that MACC had frozen RM8.1 million from several accounts, including those under the Datuk's name and several other individuals.

MACC had launched a big scale operation to arrest those who had misused their power and living beyond their means, in line with the statement of MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad to Bernama, recently, to clean up the government service from corruption, malpractices and misuse of power.

On Aug 15, three government officers - two out of them with the titles of 'Datuk' and 'Datuk Seri' - were arrested by MACC for graft, misuse of power and money laundering.

All three men, who worked at a government department, a local authority and a GLC, were detained in Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Kelantan respectively.

MACC had also frozen accounts belonging to the three suspects amounting more than RM13 million, comprising savings accounts and unit trusts worth between RM1 million and RM6 million each.

Meanwhile the senior govermment officer in Melaka was today released by the Magistrate's Court on a bail of RM300,000.