A businessman with the honorific title, 'Tan Sri' has been detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged involvement in bribery involving a Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) project.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki said the 60-year-old suspect was picked up at his home in Johor today.

He said the MACC also nabbed three DID officers and a former DID staff to assist in the probe.

Azam said the three civil servants were detained at the DID headquarters in Putrajaya while the former staff was picked up at his home in Seremban.

It is learnt the four men comprised special projects division former director, engineer, site engineer and assistant engineer.

According to Azam, more individuals might be detained in the near future.

Meanwhile, a source close to the investigation said the four suspects with links to DID were suspected of abetting the 'Tan Sri' who owned a company appointed by the department to supply geotube equipment.

The project involved river restoration works using mining methods.

"The suspects have issued invoice(s) amounting to almost RM13 million to supply 358 geotube units when only 89 units were delivered, worth about RM4 million.

"Subsequently, the government lost almost RM9 million due to alleged abuse of positions for their own gain," said the source.

All the suspects are expected to be remanded under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 in the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA