The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained three military camp supervisors for alleged involvement in corruption over maintenance tenders at several states.

The suspects aged between 33 and 43, were picked up at the Kuantan MACC office at 6.50pm yesterday when they turned up to have their statements recorded.

According to sources close to the investigation, the suspects had served as supervisors at three camps, namely in Kota Baru, Kelantan; Kuantan, Pahang; and Kluang, Johor.

“Investigations revealed ‘middlemen’ were involved in the approval process of the maintenance tenders worth almost RM50,000.

“Their modus operandi was to register several legitimate ‘Class F’ contractors via tender application before military officers involved in the process approved the companies,” the sources told Bernama in Kuala Lumpur today.

The sources said between five and 10 percent of the total payment for the project would be given to the licence holders while the balance would go to the ‘middlemen’.

“The military officers involved in the process were believed to receive between RM3,000 and RM4,000 for each approved project,” they said, adding the practice led to huge losses to the government as the maintenance works did not adhere to the set standard.

According to the sources, the information gathered by MACC revealed that some Defence Ministry officers were also involved in the abuse of power case.

MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Azam Baki said the suspects were remanded for six days, beginning today to facilitate investigations.

Two senior military officers who held the rank of lieutenant-colonel and staff sergeant were detained in Kuantan and Temerloh, Pahang last Thursday for alleged corruption.

- Bernama