6 October 2016
Malaysian anti-corruption officials have arrested two senior water department officials in Sabah. They seized $13 million cash from various places including the officials’ office and houses. MACC deputy chief commissioner of operations Datuk Azam Baki said that the bank accounts of the arrested officers amounting to $14.4 million were frozen. Nine luxury vehicles, 94 high-end handbags, jewellery and luxury watches were also seized.
The two officials were the Director and his deputy aged 54 and 51 respectively. The Deputy Directors brother who has the title of Dato, and his accountant were also taken into custody.
Anti-corruption officials also said that more money were kept in the banks in a neighbouring country. No further details were released.
The arrested persons were remanded for a week to facilitate investigations. For the time being they are accused of taking kickbacks amounting to $790,000.
The anti-corruption officials said that they were getting bank approval for opening 5 deposit boxes in the bank which are expected to hold more currency notes. The authorities also seized 117 land titles.
The authorities were gathering information on the two water department officials for over a year. They believed that the corrupt activities were going on since 2010. The authorities became suspicious when many contractors complained that they do not get enough projects. The duo has been awarding the contracts to their relatives and friends in return for kickbacks.
This is said to be the biggest ever heist in many years.
UPDATE
17 October 2016
