Political secretary nabbed over misuse of SDFC funds

KEPALA BATAS: The political secretary of a minister was arrested in connection with the alleged misappropriation of RM40mil from the Skills Development Fund Corporation (SDFC).

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad said the 61-year-old man was detained when he turned up at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to give a statement at 12.30pm yesterday.

It is learnt that the suspect will be remanded today to assist in investigations.

On Sept 13, four other people were detained by the MACC at several places in Kuala Lumpur in connection with the case.

Those arrested were the corporation’s chief executive, 58, secretary, 34, assistant financial officer, 32, and a company director, 38, who carries the honorific “Dr” title.

The suspects were said to have collaborated with the company director to siphon the allocation provided by the Government.

SDFC is a statutory body under the Human Resources Ministry. It is responsible for providing financial assistance in the form of loans to individuals such as school leavers, graduates and others interested in pursuing skills training at public or private institutions.

At a function, Dzulkifli said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng would be called in to give a statement over the illegal carbon filter-processing factory in Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam.

Investigations into the case were in their final stage, he said.