The managing director of a government-linked bank and three others have been remanded for three days by the Magistrate's Court in Putrajaya today over a case involving abuse of power and corruption.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) also seized six watches, worth RM20,000 each, and RM30,000 from the bank managing director, who is a 'Datuk' in his 40s.

Magistrate Nik Isfahanie Tasnim Wan Ab Rahman issued the three-day remand order.

Among those remanded included a former staff of the bank and two said to be from a publishing firm including its managing director.

Yesterday, MACC director of investigations Azam Baki (photo) said the 'Datuk' is being investigated in connection with a tender to change the banking system and the publishing of a book related to a national leader. The national leader in question is believed to be the present prime minister.

Azam said as much as RM15 million was given to the publishing firm owned by someone linked to the suspect, but not a single copy of the book has been published to date.

The MACC initially arrested eight people, including the four remanded today. However, the four others were released today.

They were picked up between yesterday afternoon and up to midnight, all around the Kuala Lumpur area.

Those released include the author of the book, the wife of a former bank staff and two lawyers who drew up the agreement.

The authorities are investigating those arrested under the bank case under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for using the office or position for gratification.

MACC has also frozen RM8.1 million in various bank accounts including that of the 'Datuk'.

Meanwhile, the same court today also remanded two Petronas managers and six others over a piping contract worth RM76 million down south.

They were picked up from Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur and Terengganu.

All eight – five men and three women – were remanded five days by magistrate Nik Isfahanie.

The eight are being investigated under Section 16(a) of the MACC Act for accepting gratification in respect of a transaction.