The MACC detained an engineer of an oil company and his wife for allegedly soliciting and accepting bribes of RM361,000 in the Sabah Ammonia Urea (Samur) project in Sipitang, Sabah, three years ago.

According to MACC sources, the husband and wife aged 58 and 49 years respectively were detained in their home in Shah Alam at 2pm today.

"The suspect, who is the quality analysis and quality control manager in the project is suspected to have solicited and received bribes from the main contractor as payment for the suspect to appoint the sub-contracting company to carry out pipe testing works.

“The payments were deposited into the personal accounts of the suspect and the company account of his wife's,” the sources told Bernama.

Meanwhile, MACC senior director of the investigation department Simi Abd Ghani, when contacted, confirmed the detention and said the commission was carrying out the investigation under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.

"So far, the MACC has opened two investigation papers on the case and 12 recordings of statements had been taken from the individuals concerned,” he said.

Simi said both the suspects were expected to be taken to the court in Putrajaya tomorrow for remand application.

- Bernama