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KUCHING (Feb 5): Eight individuals, including a Vietnamese woman, have been remanded across Sarawak to assist in investigations involving bribery for monopolising government department projects in the state.
The Magistrates’ Court here ordered the Vietnamese woman and three local businessmen to be remanded for five days until Feb 10. Magistrate Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Ali issued the remand order for the suspects, aged between their 20s and 50s, following a request by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
In Sibu, two business owners, aged 60 and 65, were remanded for one day to assist with the investigation. Magistrate Romario Jonoi approved the application by MACC for further investigation under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
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Meanwhile, in Miri, a four-day remand order was issued for a government department engineer and a company manager. Magistrate Sandy Yvette Freddy granted the MACC’s request, represented by Kuching officer Syed Mohd Faszuan Syed Razak. The two suspects, aged 51 and 52, were arrested at their homes at 7.30am yesterday.
A source revealed that the MACC confiscated over RM1 million in cash, an apartment, and a vehicle during the operation across Sarawak. The source added that the group’s activities allegedly began in 2006, where contractors allowed their licences to be used in exchange for commissions of up to 10% of the project value.
The government department engineer is believed to have facilitated project approvals in return for payments. Investigations are ongoing as MACC continues to collect evidence to determine the full extent of the scheme.