A managing director with the title ‘datuk’ and six company executives have been detained by the MACC to assist in investigations into false claims pertaining to the maintenance of rural roads in Johor.

According to sources, the suspects had made the claims for maintenance work carried out from 2014 until now, although no such work was done.

“The total cost of maintenance involves a sum of between RM50 million and RM70 million a year,” the sources added.

All the suspects, comprising five men and two women aged between 30 and 60 and from the same company, were detained at the Johor MACC office between 9pm yesterday and this morning.

According to the sources, investigations were still ongoing to find out if there were other companies involved.

“The false claims made for this year alone is amounting to RM2 million. As for the other years involved, the MACC is still investigating.

“The company was given a contract to carry out maintenance on rural roads throughout Johor. It is believed that the Johor government through its subsidiary has shares in the company,” added the sources.

Johor MACC director Azmi Alias when contacted confirmed the arrests, saying that three suspects had been remanded to assist in the investigations, while the rest would be taken to court tomorrow for remand proceedings.

He said the case, involving the construction and maintenance of rural roads that were meant for the community, is something that the MACC would not compromise on, and that the company employees' alleged actions were against public interest.

“So far, more than RM800,000 in cash had been seized in relation to the case,” he said.

Azmi also did not rule out the possibility that more arrests would be made.

- Bernama