11 hours ago
Assemblyman, businessman give statements to MACC over Sabah mining licences
KOTA KINABALU: Two Datuks, including a state assemblyman, suspected of taking RM200,000 in bribes for Sabah mining licences, were released after giving statements today.
According to sources, both male suspects, aged in their 30s and 60s, were detained at 9.45am and 11.50am today.
They were giving statements at the The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sabah office and at the MACC Headquarters in Putrajaya, respectively.
"The suspects - a businessman and a state assemblyman, are believed to have committed the offences between 2023 and 2024.
"Preliminary investigations also found that the two suspects allegedly solicited and received bribes totaling around RM200,000 from each other to assist in managing applications for prospecting licences in the state," the source said.
Meanwhile, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, when contacted, confirmed the arrests and said the case is being investigated under Section 16 (b)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.
He added that the businessman suspect was released after his statement was recorded, with bail set at RM100,000 (with a deposit of RM10,000) and two sureties.
The other suspect, who is the state assemblyman, was also released after giving his statement, with bail set at RM50,000 and one surety.
