JOHOR BARU: Six men, including a son and a special aide to a Johor state government officer were nabbed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over an alleged property embezzlement case.
Deputy MACC chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki said the six people, aged between 25 and 50, said they were arrested at various locations in Johor Baru in a simultaneous operation launched by the MACC at 8.30am on Friday.
The others were a lawyer, a civilian and two developers.
Azam said preliminary investigation showed the suspects have reduced the land premium of approved housing and industrial projects as well as conversion of premises titles resulting the state government to incur millions of ringgit in losses.
MACC has also seized 21 luxury cars, five high-powered motorcycles, RM500,000 in local and foreign currencies and documents to facilitate investigation.
"MACC is currently in the process of examining all the documents seized in relation to misappropriation of the properties.
"A total of 45 bank accounts belonging to the suspects amounting to about RM15.5 million has been frozen for investigation," he said, adding that several witnesses will be called in to assist the case.
Assistant registrar Noor Hidayah Abdul Manaf in the Johor Baru Magistrate's Court here today allowed a seven-day remand beginning today on the suspects.
The case is being investigated under Section 17 (a) of the MACC Act 2009 which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of RM10,000 or five times the bribe, whichever is higher, upon conviction.