MACC arrests ICSU-ROAP senior officer over non-existent programmes

PUTRAJAYA: A senior administration officer of the International Council for Scientific Union-Regional Office for Asia Pacific (ICSU-ROAP) which is under the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) was arrested by the MACC for swindling over RM3 million in funds for non-existent programmes.
Also arrested was his 57-year-old accomplice who abetted with him between 2012 and last year.
Sources revealed that the accomplice had impersonated as a professor of a local university and a scientist who representing Malaysia for overseas ICSU-ROAP programmes.
The detained ICSU officer who is in charge of administration and finance had allegedly falsified documents and the signatories of the director and manager of the ICSU to make claims for organising such programmes, of which were non-existent.
Investigators identified 73 "programmes" he was behind and allegedly swindled funds with the help of his accomplice.
"To seek claims and reimbursement of expenditure, the officer had produced fake air tickets, invoices, hotel bills and other documents for the programmes, most of which were non-existent." sources said.
It is learnt that the ICSU-Paris and Finance Ministry channels RM361 million and RM1 million in funds to ASM through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) each year.
MACC director of investigations Datuk Simi Abd Ghani when contacted confirmed the arrests.
He said the suspects were held at an apartment in Kuala Lumpur at 12.30pm and a remand order will be obtained to detain them further.