RM1.5 billion misappropriation: Remand for former ministry official extended

The remand period on a former ministry deputy divisional secretary who was detained to assist investigation on the misappropriation of almost RM1.5 billion in funds for rural projects in Sabah, was extended by another six days from tomorrow until Oct 17.

Magistrate Norhidayati Mohammad Nasroh issued the remand extension order on the 40-year-old woman at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court after the previous six-day remand order (Oct 6) for six days expired today.

The woman, who is now divisional secretary in another ministry, was among three individuals detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to assist in the case on Oct 5. Also detained were a vice-president of a political party in Sabah and a businessman.

Yesterday, the Sabah political leader and the businessman had their remand period extended by four days and three days respectively to assist in the case after their five-day remand earlier expired.

In addition, three others who were leaders of two political parties were remanded for five days to assist investigation into the misappropriation of funds amounting to RM180 million which was part of the RM1.5 billion fund estimated to be misappropriated from a ministry.

The RM1.5 billion fund was part of the federal government's allocation through a ministry totaling RM7.5 billion to implement rural projects in Sabah for the period 2009 until 2015.

Yesterday, the MACC also called up the younger brother of a former federal minister to assist in the investigation into the misappropriation of the rural development funds in Sabah. -- Bernama