Op Caviar: MACC arrests five individuals linked to Sturgeon Farming Project

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today detained five individuals, three serving and two former staff of the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), on suspicion of corruption and abuse of power relating to the Sturgeon Fish Farming Technology Transfer project.

Those arrested are former Felda Senior Manager with a Datuk title, 57, former Felda Deputy Senior Manager (Strategic Resource), 53, former Sturgeon Project operation officer, 30, Felda Head of London Properties, 38 and Felda administration assistant officer, 33.

The suspects were detained at various locations in the Kalng Valley between 11.30am and 6pm in the Op Caviar by MACC.

MACC Investigations Director, Datuk Simi Abd Ghani when contacted confirmed the arrests and said that several documents pertaining the project had been confiscated.

According to a source close to the case, all the suspects were allegedly involved in a Sturgeon Farming project worth RM47.6 million (USD10 million) since 2014.

It is understood that a meeting was held in Jan 2013 to discuss the project but the Board of Directors had asked the 53-year-old suspect to prepare a comprehensive report on the project investment to be presented to the BODs.

The suspect, however, had discreetly established Felda Carviative Sdn Bhd (FCSB) on Jan 2014 and signed a deal with a Sturgeon Farming company based in Korea worth RM146.24 million (USD45 million) with the knowledge of the BODs, Legal Department and the Financial Division.

Early investigation revealed that the project did not obtain any approval from the Pahang Environment Department but payment was made to the Korean company a week prior to the establishment of FCSB.

The source disclosed that since the finance unit was under his supervision, the suspect had approved an approximate RM47.6 million (USD10 million) from Felda coffer to pay the Korean company without the approval of the BODs before signing the deal.

The contract signing for the Sturgeon Fish project include the execution of the Technology Transfer Service Agreement (TTSA) and Design and Build Construction Agreement (DBCA).

A suspect with the title ‘Datuk’ and the 53-year-old suspect who is the former FCSB Director, were believed to have signed the deal.

All suspects were detained at various locations in the Kalng Valley between 11.30am and 6pm in the Caviar Op by MACC.

MACC Investigations Director, Datuk Simi Abd Ghani when contacted confirmed the arrests and said that several documents relating to the project had also been confiscated.

All suspects will be brought to Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court tomorrow for remand order.