Sabah graft probe: Former deputy director of Sabah government department held

Another suspect, this time, a former deputy director of a Sabah government department has been detained to facilitate investigations into abuse of power involving infrastructure projects worth RM3.3 billion.

A source close to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's investigation team said the 62-year-old suspect was the department's deputy director for almost 11 years before he retired last year, after which he was appointed to his current position as the state's technical and engineering advisor.

"The man was arrested at his office, yesterday," said the source.

The source said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had received money from several contractors while he was holding his position as the deputy director of the department concerned.

"MACC has seized two cars owned by the suspect, a Mercedes Benz and a Land Cruiser. No cash has been seized at the moment," the source said, adding that the suspect would be remanded six days from today.

The source said, thus far, MACC had recorded statements from about 78 witnesses and did not rule out that more would be called.

Meanwhile, MACC deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Azam Baki when contacted, confirmed the arrest and called any member of the public who had information regarding the case to come forward.

Before this, MACC had arrested four individuals, including the director and deputy director of the same department and seized over RM114.5 million in cash, jewellery worth RM3.64 million and 127 land titles worth RM30 million, making it the biggest case ever in the MACC's history. -- Bernama