Two more nabbed and remanded over MACC probe

KOTA KINABALU - Four men including a director of a state department and his deputy were remanded seven days over a corruption probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) here.

Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie issued the remand order, effective today, following an application by the MACC.

The four men, who included a relative of the deputy director as well as an accountant, arrived in the court premises handcuffed and were brought by MACC officers into Stephanie’s chambers.

One of them was clad in an orange attire meant for MACC detainees.

Each of the suspects were also represented by counsels PJ Pereira, Datuk Chau Chin Tang, Roland Cheng and Peter Marajin, who were present in court.

MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Azam Baki is expected to hold a press conference soon to further elaborate on the arrests and seizures.

RM112 million seized from officers and businessmen

KOTA KINABALU: Top Sabah Water Department officials allegedly had RM52mil in cash, jewelry and expensive watches stashed in various places, including their office and house.

The bank accounts of the officers, amounting to RM60mil, had also been frozen, said MACC deputy chief commissioner of operations Datuk Azam Baki at a Press conference here on Wednesday.

This is believed to be the biggest cash seizure ever following the arrest of the two senior Sabah Water Department officials on Tuesday.

And also on Wednesday, Water Department Director, Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib, and his deputy, Teo Chee Kong, were remanded for a week to facilitate investigations into kick backs involving RM3.3bil worth of federal projects.

Also being remanded by Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie, was a 55-year old Datuk, said to be the brother of one of the deputy director, and his 50-year old accountant.

The application was made by Investigating Officer Mohd Faliq from the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).

Azam Baki said RM52mil of the cash were seized from various places, including from the officials’ office and house.

Nine luxury vehicles, 94 high-end handbags, jewelleries and luxury watches were also seized.

Azam said it is believed that more money were kept in banks in a neighbouring country. He refused to give details.

Earlier Wednesday, the four people were remanded for a week to facilitate investigations into kickbacks involving RM3.3bil worth of federal projects.

Investigations are being carried out under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act, the Penal Code and money laundering.

It is understood that investigations on the duo began since 2010, when it was discovered that most of the projects under its jurisdiction were awarded to their siblings.

Some RM3.3bil worth of projects to build basic infrastructure in the State are just allocations approved by the Federal Government.

“We believe the amount involved could be higher as it did not include state-approved allocations to carry out other basic amenities projects and maintenance work,” added another source.