MACC detains ministry's pol sec in connection with gov't fund misappropriation

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today arrested a political secretary of a ministry to facilitate investigations in connection with misappropriation of allocation channeled to the Skills Development Fund Corporation.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad said the MACC arrested the political secretary at 12.30 pm and he would be brought to court tomorrow for a remand order to facilitate further investigations.

"Previously we have arrested four people in connection with this case who have been remanded and released on MACC bail. Today MACC made an arrest on another person, who is the political secretary of a ministry," he told reporters after opening the Penang state level 'Anti-Corruption Tour 2017' programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Hashim Awang here today.

Dzulkifli said the political secretary was the fifth individual arrested by MACC to facilitate investigation on the misappropriation of fund allocation.

According to a MACC source, the individual concerned, aged 61, is a member of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Serian branch, Sarawak.

"The individual was arrested by MACC when he turned up to give statements at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at 12.30 pm," said the source.

On Sept 13, MACC arrested four individuals for allegedly embezzling government funds totaling up to RM40 million, which should be channeled to a skills corporation for training programmes.

Those arrested were a 58-year-old chief executive with a "Datuk' title, together with a corporate secretary, 34; assistant financial officer, 32; and company director, 38, at several locations in the federal capital in a special MACC operation.

All four individuals were remanded for six days from Sept 14 and were later released on MACC bail.

--BERNAMA