Latest news with #RM1mil


The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
MACC to call up 20 more witnesses in RM180mil data centre probe
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is expected to record statements from an additional 20 witnesses in graft investigations of the RM180mil procurement of a data centre construction project tender in Johor. MACC Investigation Division senior director Datuk Zainul Darus said the commission has already recorded statements from 12 individuals in connection with the investigation. He said that the three suspects - the project manager of a construction company and two company directors - arrested by MACC are still under remand, while a woman suspect was released on Sunday (July 20) after her remand order ended. "So far, there have been no new arrests in this case," he replied briefly when contacted Monday. The media previously reported that a project manager of a prominent construction company who was detained for investigation into a corruption case involving the procurement of a data centre construction project tender was willing to burn almost RM1mil in cash to destroy evidence after being shocked by the MACC's Ops Ways raid on Thursday (July 17). According to sources, during the raid conducted at his home in Petaling Jaya, a team of officers found RM100 banknotes totalling almost RM1mil in flames. A thorough inspection of the home yielded cash totalling approximately RM7.5mil stored in several pillow boxes, three Rolex, Omega and Cartier watches, as well as jewellery such as rings and gold coins. On Friday (July 18), the media reported that a contract manager, his wife and two men in their 40s to 60s were arrested by the MACC Investigation Division in the Klang Valley, believed to be involved in corruption involving the procurement of a data centre construction project tender in Johor worth approximately RM180mil. - Bernama


The Star
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
MACC identifies two more companies in data centre graft
KUALA LUMPUR: Two more companies suspected of obtaining data centre construction projects by bribing the project manager of a construction company, have been identified by graft busters. According to a source in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), several company directors have also been identified and will be called to assist in the investigation into the case. 'The investigation also found that the main suspect, the project manager, admitted to having asked for about 3% of the project value from any company that wanted to obtain a project from a prominent construction company,' he said yesterday. The source informed that the bribe was done by leaking the tender price and helping to ensure that the company that paid the bribe was given priority to win the tender. 'This bribe was paid in stages according to the progress of the project payment and it is understood that there are several million more that have yet to be paid by the company to the suspect as per their agreement,' the source said, Bernama reported. The media previously reported that a project manager of a prominent construction company who was detained for investigation into a corruption case involving the procurement of a data centre construction project tender was willing to burn almost RM1mil in cash to destroy evidence after being shocked by the MACC raid through Ops Ways on Thursday. According to sources, during the raid conducted at his home in Petaling Jaya, a team of officers found RM100 banknotes totalling almost RM1mil in flames. As a result of a thorough inspection of the home, the MACC also found cash totalling about RM7.5mil stored in several pillow boxes, three Rolex, Omega and Cartier watches as well as jewellery such as rings and gold coins. On Friday, the media reported that a contract manager, his wife and two men, aged in the 40s and 60s, were arrested by the MACC Investigation Division around the Klang Valley, believed to be involved in corruption involving the procurement of a data centre construction project tender in Johor worth about RM180mil.

The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Haze: Unhealthy air quality detected in five areas nationwide
PETALING JAYA: Five areas nationwide have recorded unhealthy air pollutant index (API) readings, says the Environment Department. As of 3pm on Sunday (July 20), it said Putrajaya recorded an API of 139; Banting and Johan Setia in Selangor (154 each); Nilai in Negri Sembilan (162); and Alor Gajah in Melaka (110). Its director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the worsening air quality is influenced by trans-boundary haze affecting the country in the past 24 hours. He said the National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan had been activated to coordinate agencies' response towards tackling open burning and haze matters. Under the National Haze Action Plan, he said relevant agencies have various responsibilities to oversee. This includes the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) activating its disaster management committees at district, state and federal levels should API readings exceed 150 for more than 24 hours. "All outdoor classroom activities will also be halted once the API exceeds 100. ALSO READ: Haze: Two areas each in Selangor, Negri record unhealthy API "All schools, kindergarten and day care centres will be closed once the API reading exceeds 200. "Respective administrators should monitor the API and make necessary preparations if required to close," he said in a statement on Sunday. He said cloud seeding would be carried out at areas with API readings exceeding 150 for more than 24 hours. "This is subject to the presence of clouds and suitable weather conditions," he said. He also advised landowners to closely monitor areas that can easily catch fire and take measures to ensure no open burning occurs. Under Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, Wan Abdul Latiff said those convicted of open burning can be fined up to RM1mil or jailed up to five years, or both. A compound not exceeding 50% of the maximum penalty can also be imposed for each subsequent offence.


The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Data centre graft: MACC identifies two more companies
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has identified two more companies suspected of obtaining data centre construction projects by bribing the project manager of a prominent construction company who was recently arrested. According to a source, several company directors had also been identified and would be called to assist in the investigation into the case. "The investigation also found that the main suspect, the project manager, admitted to having asked for about 3% of the project value from any company that wanted to obtain a project from a prominent construction company," he said here Sunday (July 20). The source reported that the bribe was facilitated by leaking the tender price and helping to ensure that the company that paid the bribe was given priority in winning the tender. "This bribe was paid in stages according to the progress of the project payment, and it is understood that there are several million more that have yet to be paid by the company to the suspect as per their agreement," he said. The media previously reported that a project manager of a prominent construction company who was detained for investigation into a corruption case involving the procurement of a data centre construction project tender was willing to burn almost RM1mil in cash to destroy evidence after being surprised by the MACC raid through Ops Ways on Thursday (July 17). According to sources, during the raid conducted at his home in Petaling Jaya, a team of officers found RM100 banknotes totalling almost RM1mil in flames. As a result of a thorough inspection of the home, the MACC also found cash totalling approximately RM7.5mil stored in several pillow boxes, three Rolex, Omega and Cartier watches, as well as jewellery such as rings and gold coins. On Friday, the media reported that a contract manager, his wife, and two men in their 40s to 60s were arrested by the MACC Investigation Division around the Klang Valley, believed to be involved in corruption related to the procurement of a data centre construction project tender in Johor worth approximately RM180mil. – Bernama


The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Paper trail turns to ashes
PETALING JAYA: Nearly RM1mil in cash went up in flames when anti-graft officers stormed a suspect's house here, only to find thick smoke and burning banknotes. The raid, carried out by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on July 17, targeted the home of a project manager from a leading construction firm suspected of involvement in bribery linked to a data centre tender. According to a source, the suspect had set fire to stacks of RM100 notes, totalling close to RM1mil, in a desperate bid to destroy evidence just moments before the raiding party entered. 'When the door was opened, the team found the house filled with smoke. The smoke was pouring out from a bathroom. 'Inside, there were bundles of cash being burnt,' the source revealed. But the money trail did not end there as a thorough search of the premises uncovered RM7.5mil hidden in pillowcases, along with a stash of luxury watches and jewellery. Charred cash: The burnt stacks of RM100 notes found after the accused attempted to destroy evidence linked to suspected involvement in bribery. — Bernama MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the raid, calling the suspect's attempt to dispose of evidence 'a serious offence' under Section 201 of the Penal Code. If convicted, the suspect could face up to seven years in jail and a fine. However, he said the core of the investigation remains focused on alleged offences under Sections 16 and 17A of the MACC Act 2009, which deal with bribery and corporate liability for corruption.