MACC collars ex-S'gor company exec, businessperson over alleged bribery

A former senior executive at Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI) was among two individuals MACC picked up three days ago in a swoop against an alleged multi-million ringgit bribery scandal concerning a sand mining concession under a subsidiary of the state investment arm.

The two suspects, the second one being a businessperson, were allegedly linked to a prominent opposition leader who used to have political influence in Selangor.

“The former executive is suspected to have received millions of ringgit in bribes from a company that secured a sand mining concession several years ago.

“According to information that MACC has gathered so far, the second suspect, a businessperson, had (allegedly) acted as a middle person to collect the bribes on behalf of the first suspect.

“We have also summoned many others related to this project to facilitate the investigation, but these two are considered as our main suspects,” said a source.

Malaysiakini was informed that one of the suspects is being remanded until Tuesday, while the other has been released by court order due to health issues.

According to sources close to the probe, the anti-graft agency had also detained two individuals linked to a sand mining company, but they have since been released after questioning.

The scandal allegedly began when the company applied for the concession from MBI more than five years ago, according to an MACC official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

However, the bribes were said to have been a continuous affair since the company acquired MBI’s concession.

The second suspect also allegedly sought a percentage of shares in the sand mining company.

Bank accounts frozen

As of today, MACC has frozen some 15 bank accounts belonging to several individuals and companies, including those investigators believe were used to channel the bribes.

According to a source, MACC is also investigating whether the prominent politician had any involvement in the alleged corruption.

“We will see if there is a need to record his statement. So far the investigation is ongoing,” said the source when asked if MACC plans to summon the politician.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki when contacted confirmed the arrests.

“I can confirm that two individuals have been arrested over a bribery case related to a sand mining concession from MBI,” he said but declined to elaborate further.

The case is being investigated under Section 16 of the MACC Act.

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