Sabah water probe: 19 engineers detained, RM2.4mil seized
THE STAR
KOTA KINABALU: An anti-graft probe into the Sabah Water Department has widened with the arrests of 19 district or divisional engineers during a one-day operation on Wednesday.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigators seized RM2.4mil from several of those detained at 27 locations around the state.
The investigators had also seized the department’s procurement files and were going through these documents.
From what the investigators have unearthed so far, it is believed that the divisional or district engineers were collecting as much as 27% to 30% of the contract amounts for the contractors to be awarded certain projects.
Investigators will be recording the statements of those detained.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki when contacted Thursday, confirmed the arrests as part of their Ops Air Air-Wave II, but declined to elaborate. He, however, noted that their investigations were focused on the involvement of civil servants in receiving kickbacks and wrongful use of authority, and did not involve any political figure at the state or in the Federal Government.
“I am requesting all quarters not to politicise this matter and take advantage of the current investigations for their own particular interests,” Azam added.
He said their probe involved a numerous amount of documents and MACC officers were going through them in detail, and needed time before submitting their investigation papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.
“We view this case seriously and assure everyone that our investigations will be carried out transparently and professionally,” Azam added.
KOTA KINABALU: An anti-graft probe into the Sabah Water Department has widened with the arrests of 19 district or divisional engineers during a one-day operation on Wednesday.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigators seized RM2.4mil from several of those detained at 27 locations around the state.
The investigators had also seized the department’s procurement files and were going through these documents.
From what the investigators have unearthed so far, it is believed that the divisional or district engineers were collecting as much as 27% to 30% of the contract amounts for the contractors to be awarded certain projects.
Investigators will be recording the statements of those detained.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki when contacted Thursday, confirmed the arrests as part of their Ops Air Air-Wave II, but declined to elaborate. He, however, noted that their investigations were focused on the involvement of civil servants in receiving kickbacks and wrongful use of authority, and did not involve any political figure at the state or in the Federal Government.
“I am requesting all quarters not to politicise this matter and take advantage of the current investigations for their own particular interests,” Azam added.
He said their probe involved a numerous amount of documents and MACC officers were going through them in detail, and needed time before submitting their investigation papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.
“We view this case seriously and assure everyone that our investigations will be carried out transparently and professionally,” Azam added.
