MACC confirms probe, remand over smart boards for schools

Summary

• MACC confirmed the arrest of two individuals, including a former special officer to an unnamed MP, over alleged bribes in school smartboard procurement in Kuala Lumpur. The case involves RM500,000 in bribes for the approval of RM1.5 million in Project Mesra Rakyat funds.

• Seputeh MP Teresa Kok clarified that the arrested individuals were her former staff and believes the probe concerns the purchase of smartboards at inflated prices from a fictitious company.

The MACC has reportedly confirmed the arrest of two people as part of investigations into alleged bribes in the supply of interactive smart boards for several schools in Kuala Lumpur.

Bernama quoted MACC senior director of investigations Zainul Darus confirming the arrest of the two, including a former special officer of an unnamed MP, and that the case is being investigated under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009.

The report also quoted an MACC source saying that preliminary investigations suggest the alleged offence was committed last year.

It is believed that two individuals - both men in their 30s - had solicited and received a bribe of approximately RM500,000 to facilitate the approval of RM1.5 million in Project Mesra Rakyat funds for the supply of the interactive smart boards.

The duo were reportedly arrested at around 9.30pm on Wednesday while providing statements at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya and were remanded for four days effective yesterday under an order granted by the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court.

“The investigation will also focus on the procurement process to verify whether the schools received the correct number of items and specifications,” the source was quoted as saying.

In a separate statement today, Kok said the MACC arrested two of her former staff, who used to handle finances and constituency funds at her service centre until their resignation last year.

She believed the MACC investigation pertains to the procurement of LG-branded smart boards at inflated prices.

She said the Federal Territories Implementation Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department contacted her last October to inform her that her constituency allocation had been disbursed to 16 schools at RM99,000 each for the procurement of smart boards and smart TVs.

“However, I had never approved such an allocation on this scale.

“Subsequent inquiries revealed that the company which issued the invoices did not exist - it was a fraudulent entity.

“Furthermore, an official LG dealer confirmed that the actual cost for three smartboards and three smart TVs should have been RM55,299, rather than RM99,000.

“This resulted in a discrepancy of RM43,701 per school, amounting to a total of RM699,216 across 16 schools,” she said.

No influence on MACC

Kok reiterated in her statement yesterday that she has no influence over the MACC, and emphasised that neither she nor her staff had lodged a report to the commission.

This is amid allegations circulating on social media that she used the MACC to influence the upcoming DAP central executive committee election. Malaysiakini understands that one of those remanded is a candidate in the election.

Instead, Kok said she raised the issue in the Parliament’s special chambers by questioning the Federal Territories Education Department’s directive to purchase the smart boards.

She said she also made her own inquiries by discussing the irregularities with several government officials.

“I believe MACC may have taken cues from these discussions,” she said.

Kok said the issue represents a serious breach of public trust and vowed to cooperate with the MACC’s investigation.

“I have always abided by the DAP motto that the party is committed to fighting good governance, integrity, and social justice for all Malaysians when speaking out on public issues and in this instance the procurement of smart boards for schools involving public funds,” she said.

She further said she had refrained from commenting extensively on the case in her initial statement yesterday, after taking legal advice, and to avoid interfering with the MACC investigation.

However, the continued allegations of her involvement in the arrests have compelled her to set the record straight.

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