Crime & Courts

Businessman rearrested in MBI corruption probe

KUALA LUMPUR:  A businessman who was remanded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission since Thursday over allegations of corruption involving the Selangor Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) has been detained again.

According to a Malaysiakini report, Chief Commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the arrest but declined to comment further.

The report said sources close to the investigation said the individual was re-arrested after the remand order for the first case expired yesterday.

It said the investigating officer decided to detain the businessman again due to information which suggested he may be involved in another corruption case related to MBI but in a different project.

The suspect is alleged to have received bribes from another company after successfully securing a contract related to MBI.

The businessman was among four individuals detained by MACC last week in connection with an investigation into a multi-million ringgit corruption scandal related to a sand mining concession under the state investment arm's subsidiary.

A 45-year-old former MBI employee was detained for a night, while a 43-year-old driver a 46-year-old former finance officer involved in the sand concession case were both remanded for three days.

Azam had said that a politician was linked to the investigation but he did not disclose the politician's name, adding that the politician will be summoned once investigators have gathered and verified all necessary evidence, including documents and money.

During a raid on Saturday, MACC discovered SGD1.529 million in a location referred to as a "safe house". 

On Monday, Azam said his officers also found two additional safe houses where money was allegedly stored, one of them containing approximately SGD74,000, equivalent to RM243,000 as of now. 

"In another office, about RM78,000 was found. We have also received information that some money has been invested in Singapore, and there may be other accounts in different banks." 

Several investigation papers have been opened under the Anti-Corruption Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.

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