KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Water Department deputy director and two others suspected of involvement in a multimillion ringgit graft scandal were released from remand today.
They were released before Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abie, who set bail at RM500,000 for the deputy and his brother, who is a businessman with the title of ‘Datuk’.
The businessman's accountant was ordered released on RM50,000 bail with two sureties.
Yesterday, the Department director was released on RM500,000 bail with two sureties at the central lockup at Kepayan here.
The director is reported to have returned to work today as usual. According to his Counsel, P.J. Pereira, the director has not received a suspension order from work.
It is learnt that the State Infrastructure Development Ministry, which oversees the department, has no plan to suspend the two senior officers as of now.
Its minister, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, could not be contacted for comment on the matter.
The four individuals were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) early this month on suspicion of monopolising government projects to rake in millions out of RM3.3 billion worth of federal funded projects to boost clean water supply in Sabah.
Last Friday, the MACC also nabbed a 62 year-old retired technical and engineering adviser to the state Finance Ministry to facilitate the ongoing probe.
To date, the MACC has recorded statements from over 80 witnesses.