MACC nabs businessman for soliciting RM19m bribe

PUTRAJAYA: A 37-year-old businessman was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today for allegedly accepting RM19 million from a developer to halt investigations on the controversial RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project.
Sources said the suspect had allegedly claimed that he was "connected" and could put an end to the investigations on the case.
The suspect was held at the MACC headquarters here at about 3.50pm after being summoned by investigators.
It is learnt that he allegedly received the sum in staggered payments between July and August last year from the construction company undertaking the project.
MACC director of investigations Datuk Simi Abd Ghani said investigations are ongoing to gather more evidence on the case and a remand order will be sought on Wednesday to detain the suspect further.
Investigations into the case was initiated by the commission after the estimated cost of the feasibility study project of RM305 million is believed to have been jacked up by about five times of its actual cost, indicating elements of embezzlement.
Sources said preliminary findings also showed that there were certain individuals who had received a share of the RM305 million pie.
To facilitate investigations, investigators had arrested two Datuk, a Datuk Seri and an engineer - all who are senior officials of construction companies behind the project and have called up almost 100 people for questioning since the probe went full-scale last month.
All four men were freed on bail and investigators have also visited over 40 places in Penang and the Klang Valley in efforts to gather more evidence.