Two ‘Datuk’ in MACC road probe released on bail

KUCHING: The two company directors who were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly falsifying claims involving a ‘Jiwa Murni’ rural road project worth RM800 million, were released yesterday following the expiry of their two-day extended remand.

The release of the two ‘Datuk’ was confirmed by their counsels Shankar Ram and Albert Tang, who are respectively representing the 44-year-old and 42-year-old suspects.

It was learned that a magistrate’s court released the pair each on MACC bail of RM100,000 with one surety.

“My client is released and we record our appreciation to MACC in their handling of the matter which was done professionally, and my appreciation also to the learned DPP S. Thangavelu and his team,” Shankar said when contacted yesterday.

The two directors were picked up during a special MACC operation here on Sept 8 and were initially placed on a twoday remand which was then extended by a further two days on Sept 11 to allow MACC to have more time to complete its probe.

They are being investigated under sections 16(b), 17(a) and 18 of the MACC Act 2009, which carries penalties of imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years and a fine not less than five times the sum or value of the gratification which is the subject matter of the offence, upon conviction.

MACC in a statement Sept 8 said the two company directors were partners who owned three companies that monopolised the project, which was awarded by the Defence Ministry to them from 2010 to 2016.

The project involved the implementation of 10 rural road upgrading works in Miri, Kapit, Ba Kelalan, Limbang and Belaga.

The investigation into the case was carried out with the ministry’s cooperation after an internal audit exposed the project’s failure, said MACC, adding the roads were not built in accordance with the Public Works Department’s standards and had resulted in many complaints by the local folk.