Senior Umno minister’s special officer arrested by anti-graft commission
The special officer of a senior Umno minister was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Kuala Selangor last night for allegedly demanding gratification in the awarding of a tender from the Education Ministry.
The officer, in his 30s, had allegedly demanded RM200,000 from a businessman in return for the tender.
Sources told The Malaysian Insider that the initial amount agreed upon by both the businessman and the officer was much lower than RM200,000.
The businessman had approached the officer for assistance in the awarding of the tender as the latter claimed to have connections in the Education Ministry.
However, the deal turned sour when the officer became greedy and demanded more.
The businessman lodged a report with the MACC and an ambush was set.
The businessman made an appointment to meet the special officer in Kuala Selangor last night to give him an upfront payment of RM20,000.
When the cash changed hands, the MACC officers moved in and arrested the special officer.
The source also disclosed that another suspect, a woman, was also picked up by the MACC to facilitate investigations.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the woman, believed to be with the Education Ministry, had revealed details of the tender contract to the special officer.
Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the Magistrate's Court here today allowed an application for a remand order by the MACC against the special officer to the minister and two others.
Magistrate Nur Dahlia Azmi issued an order for the officer and a businessman to be detained for four days, while the third person, a woman secretary, for three days, beginning today.
The three individuals, aged between 31 and 48, were detained for investigation under Section 16 (a) (B) and Section 17 (a) of the MACC Act 2009 for giving or accepting gratification in awarding of a tender.
The application for the remand order was made under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code. – January 9, 2014.
