PUTRAJAYA: A Datuk Seri who was remanded to assist in a probe into alleged graft involving the Penang undersea tunnel project was released on bail today.
Magistrate Lee Hong Shi issued an order to release the 37-year-old businessman on Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) bail of RM150,000 with one surety.
During the proceedings, the MACC had applied to the court to set bail at RM300,000 with one surety against the man.
The businessman was arrested on Feb 27 at the MACC headquarters and was remanded for six days. His remand was later extended by five days.
It is understood that the Datuk Seri is alleged to have received a staggering sum of money from a construction company linked to the project, after claiming that he would be able to slam the brakes on the investigation being carried out by the MACC.
Sources said that the company shelled out RM19 million in stages to the businessman between July and August last year.
The first payment amounted to RM2 million and was made at the suspect’s house in July.
The second payment of RM15 million was paid out to a company in the same month, while the third and final payment was made in August last year.
The MACC has also frozen RM3.6 million in four accounts held by the Datuk Seri.