Two more local authority officers remanded over RM200,000 bribery case
KOTA KINABALU (July 24): Two more local authority officers have been remanded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sabah on suspicion of accepting bribes amounting to RM200,000 in exchange for awarding infrastructure repair work.
Magistrate Yong Ching Hong granted a five-day remand order until July 28, following an application made by the MACC at the Sandakan Magistrate's Court today.
According to sources, the male and female suspects, aged between 20 and 30, were arrested at the MACC Sandakan Office when they appeared to give their statements between 7pm and 8pm yesterday.
'Initial investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly involved in the corruption scheme from 2022 to 2025. This arrest follows the earlier detention of five individuals linked to the same case,' said a source.
The two suspects are believed to have received around RM200,000 through personal bank accounts via money transfers from contractors, in exchange for approving infrastructure projects, including pedestrian walkway repairs, fencing works and mosque reconstruction.
Sabah MACC director Datuk S. Karunanithy confirmed the arrests when contacted and said the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009, which relates to accepting bribes in connection with official duties.
He added that further arrests may follow as investigations progress.
Yesterday, the Sandakan Magistrate's Court also issued a seven-day remand order, until July 23, for five other individuals — including engineers, assistant engineers, and former local authority staff — suspected of accepting similar bribes totalling RM200,000.
The five, comprising three men and two women aged between 30 and 50, are believed to have facilitated contractors in securing quotations and tenders for local authority projects between 2022 and 2025.
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