MACC FORMS TWO TEAMS
One will look into bribery elements while the other will scrutinise projects
INVESTIGATORS are working on a two-pronged approach to bring to justice those responsible for embezzling billions in federal funds meant for rural development projects in Sabah.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has formed two teams, one to look into elements of bribery while the other — a technical team — will look into whether projects were carried out accordingly.
A source told the New Straits Times that the technical team would gather evidence to determine whether contractors made false claims.
“The commission is scrutinising the projects one by one. It has investigated about 70 projects and 30 companies,” it said.
“Say for instance, they were supposed to use six bricks but only used four, that can be regarded as a false claim.”
It was reported that 350 projects under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry in Sabah were on MACC’s radar.
It is learnt that the ministry awarded the projects to 260 companies. However, initial investigations revealed that the selection of 65 companies was made under dubious circumstances, as some were awarded more than two projects.
The projects were carried out between 2010 and last year in nine districts in the state, including Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Kota Belud, Ranau, Beaufort, Keningau, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Sandakan.
It involved water, electricity and road infrastructure development projects.
Early last week, the NST broke the story about senior government officials and individuals being targeted in an MACC dragnet in connection with funds allocated for rural development being siphoned off.
Since last Thursday, MACC has detained six individuals in Sabah and a senior civil servant in Putrajaya.
Those arrested included Hamid Apdal, who is Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s younger brother, Parti Warisan Sabah Youth chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman, Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president Datuk Peter Anthony, Tenom Umno Youth chief Ariffin Kassim and businessman Yu Sin Kong.
On Thursday, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad said the probe would be extended to other states.
He said MACC had quizzed 45 people, adding that more were expected to be hauled up soon.