Contractor held over RM80m false claims

PUTRAJAYA: A landscape contractor who undertook gardening work at the official residence of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the premises of government agencies in Putrajaya is being investigated by the Malaysia AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) for making false claims amounting to RM80 million.

Sources said the company, which was awarded a contract between 2016 and last year to maintain the landscapes and supply workers for the purpose, is said to have either not carried out the job or did slipshod work at the sites.

However, the contractor made a full claim for the works despite failing to deliver results as stipulated in the contract.

On Wednesday, MACC raided the company’s office where related documents were seized.

Investigators also learnt the company did not have sufficient staff to undertake the projects but the contractor made claims for an undisclosed number of workers, exceeding the number on his workforce.

Sources also said it was found the company was unqualified to undertake the projects as it did not have a nursery for plants meant for landscape work.

MACC director of investigations Datuk Simi Abdul Ghani confirmed investigations on the company are ongoing.