KUALA LUMPUR: Two individuals including a former political secretary have been remanded for soliciting and accepting bribes in return for approving a book printing project worth about RM80 million involving a ministry through direct negotiation.
A source said the former political secretary in his 20s and the second suspect who is a company owner in his late 50s were detained yesterday around 11pm at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
"Both suspects are believed to have colluded with a former senior minister in asking for and receiving bribes through the second suspect's company from contractors in return for approving the book printing project through direct negotiation.
"Putrajaya magistrate's court registrar Nur Adilah Halid has allowed the two suspects to be remanded for four days starting today until Sept 26 after the MACC applied for the remand this morning," the source said.
Meanwhile, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, when contacted confirmed the arrest and said the case was investigated under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.
Previously, the media reported that a party information chief requested that the MACC investigate a controversy involving a senior minister of the previous government.
It is said to involve the issue of school maintenance contracts as well as the printing of J-Qaf books.
The minister is alleged to have obtained funds from an individual with a Datukship who obtained school maintenance projects.maintenance projects.
Meanwhile, former senior education minister Datuk Seri Radzi Jidin said in a statement that the accusations contained in a viral message linking him and his wife to the printing of J-Qaf books for preschools were untrue.
"My wife is also not royalty and has no connection or interest in the company stated in the viral message," he said on Facebook.
He claims the MACC is acting on the instructions of the superiors because of his statements in Parliament last Tuesday, Sept 19 in which he had been ejected from the august house.
"It is clear to me that this viral nonsense WhatsApp message is being used solely to tarnish my reputation and image and to oppress his innocent former officers."