Bank accounts of Datuk in RM20m kickback scandal frozen

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) froze the bank accounts and seized 10 vehicles belonging to a senior civil servant and a company manager detained by on Monday for allegedly receiving bribes of over RM20 million from business operators for the procurement of retail space at hospitals nationwide without undergoing a public tender process.
Sources revealed that MACC investigators froze about RM2.6 million that was found in the bank accounts of the 60-year-old female civil servant who is a Datuk, the 59-year-old manager and their family members.
More than 10 vehicles belonging to the suspects and a company were also seized by the commission.
Two other women in their 30s and 40s who were detained to assist in the probe were freed on bail today after questioning.
The Datuk who holds a senior position in a government department was arrested for allegedly being in cahoots with the company manager by bypassing a public tender process as required by the law to secure retail space for businesses such as convenience stores and franchise restaurants at government hospitals.
The company manager who is an ex-civil servant had quit the government services to venture into his own business.
The MACC believes that lots of at least 40 such retail outlets were obtained by business operators through the suspects.
The duo who were detained at their homes in the Klang Valley on Monday are currently under a two day remand order and are being investigated under the MACC Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Retail outlets at government hospitals enjoy a lucrative turnover due to a high number of patients at government hospitals - making it highly sought after by business owners.