More arrests soon as MACC hones in on project suppliers
At the moment, we can’t say for sure how many more arrests will be made, but the MACC did not rule out the possibility that more than just the two suppliers who were detained yesterday (Tuesday) were involved in the scam.
More arrests are expected as investigators dig deeper into the series of bogus claims of RM20 million for a government-funded dairy cow cluster project.
A source familiar with the investigations said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was narrowing in on more suppliers for the Dairy Cluster Entry Point Project under the Economic Transformation Programme in 2015.
“At the moment, we can’t say for sure how many more arrests will be made, but the MACC did not rule out the possibility that more than just the two suppliers who were detained yesterday (Tuesday) were involved in the scam,” the source told the New Straits Times.
After being verified by the state Veterinary Services Department, the suppliers filed the claims directly with the then Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry.
However, investigators suspected that the suppliers concerned did not deliver the goods before filing the claims.
“The alleged scam came to light recently as a result of information from the ministry’s side to MACC.
“Based on the information, MACC launched an investigation that led to the arrest of two men yesterday (Tuesday),” said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The exact amount the government had spent on the Dairy Cluster Entry Point Project back then could not be immediately determined.
However, a background check revealed that Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, the then agriculture and agro-based industry minister, was reported to have allocated RM200 million in March 2016 to increase domestic production of milk.
Three local dairy producers from Kedah, Johor and Sabah were chosen for the project.
Shabery was reported as having said that the allocation would be used to develop infrastructure, including the construction of cages, to accommodate an expected increase in the number of cows.
It was also reported that under the initiative, the companies would receive aid such as dairy cows, milk tanks and solar water heaters.
The Dairy Cluster Entry Point Project was established in 2011 to increase the output of local milk and lessen dependence on imported dairy from Australia and New Zealand.
Shabery was also reported as having said that the nation’s annual requirement for milk was 50 million litres, 34 million of which were produced locally.