Of the 13 suspects, eight are civil servants, while the remaining five are company owners and members of the public.
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested 13 individuals, including a current director and a former director of a government agency in northern Peninsular Malaysia, over allegations of soliciting and receiving about RM2.5 million in bribes.
The bribes were allegedly paid by contractors as inducements to secure the appointment of companies controlled by cartel-linked agents, allowing them to monopolise direct negotiation and quotation-based projects awarded by the agency.
The group, comprising 10 men and three women aged between their 30s and 60s, was arrested between 8pm and 11pm on Monday while giving statements at the Perak MACC office.
Of the 13 suspects, eight are civil servants, while the remaining five are company owners and members of the public.
“Three suspects, two civil servants and a company director, were remanded for two days until June 17, while the remaining 10 were remanded for five days until June 20,” it said.
The remand orders were issued by Magistrate Anis Hanini Abdullah at the Ipoh Magistrate’s Court following an application by MACC.
Preliminary investigations showed the alleged offences took place between 2024 and 2026.
Investigators said contractors involved in the case claimed they were required to pay between 10% and 15% of project values to intermediaries, who then allegedly channelled the payments to the agency’s current and former directors.
The arrests followed a large-scale operation dubbed “Op Drain”, conducted by MACC’s Investigation Division across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang and Perak on Monday.
During the operation, enforcement officers raided 25 locations, including residences, office premises and government agency buildings.
Authorities seized about RM1.5 million in cash, jewellery worth around RM1 million, a luxury watch, two vehicles and a high-powered motorcycle.
The case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 for solicitation and acceptance of gratification.
MACC said investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the alleged corruption network and identify any other individuals involved.
