MACC arrests CEO of GLC over manipulation of tenders for RM330mil jobs.
Datuk allegedly manipulated tenders
PUTRAJAYA: A chief executive officer of a government-linked company was attending a Hari Raya do when graft investigators picked him up in connection with alleged power abuse in awarding tenders for construction projects worth RM300mil.
The 59-year-old Datuk was then taken to his office where he was arrested around noon and is expected to be remanded today, according to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) sources.
It is understood that MACC officers have raided three separate locations in the Klang Valley to obtain documents related to the case.
Sources said the CEO is believed to have abused his position to manipulate several processes involving projects in the federal administrative capital.
“The projects have already been awarded to construction companies via open tender but because of several issues that were purposely created, the contractors could not proceed with the projects.
“This is when he would seek a ‘replacement’ contractor – which the Datuk is believed to have interest in – to continue with the development.
“We believe he planned it all along for the first contractor to fail so that he can give it to his crony,” said the source.
MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed the arrest but declined to elaborate.
Meanwhile, graft investigators want to know why a company that was awarded the solar panel project for schools in Sarawak changed the terms of the agreement in the contract.
Sources familiar with the case said the Bintulu-based company did this without the Education Ministry’s knowledge or approval.
It is also learnt that the company claimed RM221mil from the Government and the amount had already been paid.
“We want to determine whether they completed and delivered the job before making the claim from the Government,” a source told The Star.
The MACC began its probe into the case with the arrest of the company’s managing director and a lawyer. Both have been remanded for six days until July 2.
Magistrate Shah Wira Abdul Halim granted an application to have the two men in custody to help in the probe.
The 59-year-old managing director and 30-year-old lawyer were arrested at the MACC headquarters when they were called in separately for their statements to be recorded on Tuesday afternoon.
It was reported that Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd was granted a project worth more than RM1bil to install solar panels at 369 schools in Sarawak.
According to Sarawak Report, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had purportedly instructed the Education Ministry in January 2017 to appoint a company for the solar hybrid project for schools in the rural heartlands of Sarawak.
The report pointed out that several companies were qualified to install solar power in Malaysia but are said to have been dropped from consideration in favour of a politically connected company that lacked expertise in the field.