Five Local Authority Officers Remanded for Alleged RM200,000 Bribery
SANDAKAN, July 23 (Voice of Malaysia): Five officers from a local authority (PBT), including three men and two women, have been remanded for seven days to assist in investigations into allegations of accepting nearly RM200,000 in bribes over the past three years.
The remand order for the suspects, aged between 30 and 50, was issued today by Magistrate Yong Ching Hong at the Sandakan Magistrate’s Court, following their arrest by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
According to sources, all five individuals were detained around 7 p.m. on Monday after they appeared at the MACC office to provide statements.
“They are suspected of receiving bribes from several contractors between 2022 and the present. These contractors are believed to have official working relationships with the detained PBT officers,” the source said.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the bribes were given in exchange for project approvals and ensuring smooth execution of contractor works within the PBT’s jurisdiction.
MACC Sabah Director Datuk S. Karunanithy confirmed the arrests and said 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 not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000—whichever is higher—upon conviction.
“The MACC takes any corrupt practices among public servants seriously. These individuals are entrusted to carry out their duties with transparency and integrity,” he emphasized.
All suspects are currently in custody for further investigations, and the MACC is expected to summon additional witnesses in the coming days as part of the probe into this high-profile case.
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