Seized land grants valued at RM30m

> Titles in Sabah were for housing, agriculture and businesses: MACC source

PETALING JAYA: The 127 land grants seized from the two Sabah Water Department officials are estimated to be worth about RM30 million.

“Among the grants confiscated were for land approved for housing, agriculture as well as businesses in several locations in Sabah,” a source told theSun.

The source added some 40 witnesses have been questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in connection with the water projects allegedly tendered out to family-linked companies.

The source further revealed that MACC also received information on several bank accounts belonging to the two suspects in three countries and found that more than RM30 million had been transferred into those accounts.

“Initial investigations revealed that the director had transferred RM1 million to an account abroad while the remaining funds were in the deputy director’s account,” he said.

The duo’s one-week remand order ends today and they are expected to be brought to court for an extension of the remand.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki confirmed the latest development but declined to comment further.

MACC had seized RM53.7 million in cash from the houses and offices of the department director, who was arrested with his deputy on Oct 4.

The 127 land grants were among the items seized that included an array of gold and precious stones jewellery, cars, handbags and luxury watches believed to be have been purchased with the ill-gotten money.