More will be arrested over FIC hotel deal: MACC (Updated)

CYBERJAYA: More individuals are expected to be arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its investigation into the Felda Investment Corporation's (FIC) purchase of a London hotel, said MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad.
"Following checks on the documents coupled with our investigations, there will be arrests made in the nearest time.
"(The arrests) will be made during work hours. Just wait patiently for it," he told reporters after attending the launch of the drama series Banteras at the Old Malaysian Communications And Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Auditorium here, today.
Individuals in FIC are being investigated by the MACC over the purchase of a four-star hotel in Kensington, London, between 2013 and 2015.
Initial investigations following a tip off by whistleblowers revealed that the Felda investment arm had allegedly paid more than the actual market value of the property, causing it to suffer millions of ringgit in losses.
It is learnt that FIC had purchased the hotel for £60 million (RM330 million) as part of its investment in the hospitality portfolio.
Meanwhile during the event Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak who was also present lauded the efforts by MACC to educate television viewers in the country on the efforts of its officers with the launch of the television series.
"The MCMC and RTM welcomes such dramas into our channels. We must understand that fighting corruption is a permanent agenda. As such I feel that 13 episodes in the series may not be enough.
"It is very important for the public to know the nature of how the MACC's officers work tirelessly to combat corrupt activities," he said.
Banteras, a collaboration between the MACC and Fantasy Films Sdn Bhd will be producing 13 episodes of the one-hour series in September.
Directed by Ghaz Abu Bakar, the series which depicts MACC officers in action, will be featuring local artistes such as Namron, Khir Rahman and Sangeetha Krishnasamy as its main cast.
Several MACC cadets will also feature in the series.