Five people, including two former senior officers of Felda, are in remand for seven days from today for investigations into alleged misappropriation in connection with a sturgeon fish rearing project worth RM47.6 million

The remand order was issued by Magistrate Nik Isfahanie Tasnim Wan Ab Rahman following an application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to remand the five men until Jan 31.

The five men, clad in orange lockup attire and were in handcuffs, arrived at the magistrate's court here at 9.05am in four separate car.

They were picked up at several locations in the Klang Valley between 11.30am and 1.30pm yesterday under an operation named 'Op Caviar'.

The five men, aged between 30 and 57, include a senior officer with the title "Datuk", one who is based overseas and an administrative assistant.

According to a MACC source, the five men were believed to have abused their positions for their own interests.

Meanwhile, the same Magistrate's Court today ordered the release of an acting chief executive officer (CEO) and an international sales manager of a government-linked company (GLC) who had been in remand for six days.

They were detained to assist investigation into the abuse of power and corruption related to electronic passports (e-passports) project worth more than RM700 million in an African country

The 58-year-old acting CEO, with a Datuk title, and the sales manager, aged 36, were released on bail of RM40,000 each in one surety.

They were arrested at their respective homes on Jan 19.

-- BERNAMA