Tourism Malaysia probe: MACC arrests ‘Datuk’
Adam Abu Bakar
-January 8, 2019 9:51 PM
FMT
PETALING JAYA: A former top officer of Tourism Malaysia with the “Datuk” title was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) tonight, sources confirmed.
This is to facilitate investigations into a Tourism Malaysia issue, they told FMT.
The detention was under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009, which relates to using one’s office for gratification.
It provides imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
MACC is expected to apply for the remand of the man at the Putrajaya magistrate’s court tomorrow.
The individual is said to be a well-known businessman.
In June last year, MACC had visited the tourism and culture ministry over what was believed to be a contract signed between Tourism Malaysia and a company.
Tourism Malaysia director-general Mirza Mohammad Taiyab said several MACC officers had gone to the ministry’s headquarters in Putrajaya to “inquire” following some media reports.
On June 1, former Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong had called on the authorities to look into a promotional contract between Tourism Malaysia and a local company, claiming it had been given under “dubious” circumstances.
He had claimed that a meeting on the RM99 million directly-negotiated deal, as well as the approval and signing of the agreement, had taken place within a single day.
However, Mirza had refuted Wee’s allegations.
It is not known whether today’s arrest has anything to do with this case.
