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Graft of ‘unprecedented’ scale, MACC to haul up 30 more DBKL officers
Published:  Aug 26, 2016 12:00 PM
Updated: 4:21 AM

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will summon 30 more Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officers for questioning following last week's arrest of an executive director with the 'Datuk Seri' title.

The commission, according to a news report, believes that corruption at an “unprecedented scale” could be taking place in the City Hall.

The New Straits Times said the officers could have been working with the Datuk Seri to receive gratification from developers by abusing their positions.

MACC director of investigations Azam Baki said the officers of various ranks were suspected of forcing developers to deal with DBKL for various approvals to get free condominium units, which were later sold at higher prices.

“Our investigations revealed that no less than 30 City Hall officers obtained condominium units through corrupt ways and without making any advance payments.

“The modus operandi is quite sophisticated, where both parties sign sales and purchase agreements without any monetary transaction actually taking place, and the units are later sold at market value once the project is completed,” Azam is quoted as saying.

Blaming the Datuk Seri for the situation, Azam said since the suspect did not monitor his subordinates, some of them contacted developers asking for a similar deal like the one given to their boss.

“Some of them didn’t even deal directly with these developers, but when they know their bosses are getting something, they, too, want their share.

“It happened because their high-ranking officer was part of the network,” he said.

MACC is also expected to train its guns on the developers who made these deals with the DBKL officers.

“We will investigate these developers.

“We are now identifying the involvement of each and every party in this misconduct,” Azam said, adding that there were at least three developers involved in the scam.

On Tuesday, a news report claimed that the Datuk Seri owned 31 condominium units worth more than RM15.5 million, which were purchased without any downpayment.

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