RM1.5 billion siphoned from ministry for Sabah projects – Azam Baki

KOTA KINABALU: An estimated RM1.5 billion allocation by the federal government was siphoned from a ministry to implement projects in Sabah from 2009 to 2015 said Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission ( MACC) deputy chief commissioner ( Operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki.

He said the amount was part of a RM7.5 billion government allocation which was channeled through a ministry to implement rural projects in Sabah.

“The projects were related to water, electricity and road development and some of the projects may not have been implemented properly.

“We also see elements of corruption in this case. Possibly the contractors involved gave bribes to certain parties,” he told reporters here yesterday.

He said over 60 companies would be investigated and the agency would bring those believed to have been involved to court and so far three individuals have been detained.

“We have investigated some of the companies. Some of them have ceased operation and we have sent our officers to locate witnesses involved,” he said.

Azam said they received information on the case from the public and began investigating following the Sabah Water Department case last year.

On Thursday the MACC arrested three individuals including a former deputy secretary of a division in a ministry for investigations into alleged embezzlement of funds in a ministry in Sabah. — Bernama