MACC detains JKR senior engineer over alleged bribes worth millions

KUALA LUMPUR: A Kedah Public Works Department (JKR) senior engineer was detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today for allegedly taking kickbacks amounting to millions of ringgit from contractors appointed by the department since 2012.
The 56-year-old senior engineer, who was appointed to his current position four years ago, was held by an MACC team at his home in Kampung Sungai Daun, Alor Star at 11.30am.
Sources said the suspect who is empowered to authorise work orders for contractors had allegedly abused his powers by demanding kickbacks for the issuance of such paperwork — although the contractors were legitimately appointed by a tender process.
Investigations showed that the contractors were forced to pay the kickbacks and if they refused to comply with the suspect's demands, he would refuse to issue work orders and subsequently revoke their appointment.
He is believed to have collected bribes from contractors for over 30 projects involving maintenance and upgrading road works in the district of Sik since 2012.
The MACC have also identified at least six "crony" contractors allegedly linked to the suspect.
Sources also said that the engineer had allegedly sent text messages to the contractors fixing the time and place to collect the kickbacks — always paid in cash at his house, office or in his car.
Sources said investigators learnt that last year the suspect had allegedly received RM650,000 in kickbacks involving 28 JKR projects.
Investigators also seized files containing price quotations in a raid at the suspect's office and have recorded statements from 12 individuals comprising of the man's wife, his technicians and seven contractors closely tied to him.
Efforts to determine to actual amount of bribes the man had reaped since 2012 is ongoing.
The suspect is expected to be taken to the Alor Star Sessions Court tomorrow for a remand order to detain him for further investigations.
MACC director of investigations Datuk Simi Abd Ghani who confirmed the arrest when contacted said power abuse among civil servants in rural and suburban areas appeared to be on the rise.
He said in order to avoid such power abuse, senior officials from the headquarters of government departments should frequently monitor their counterparts based in smaller districts.
"The lack of supervision by superiors and inaction to discrepancies at the smaller district branches were the main factors that led to such issues." he said.