Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested another bank official in Sabah on suspicion of being involved in conspiring with a syndicate that offered to sell land owned by the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) in Melaka.
The suspect, in his 40s, is believed to be the mastermind behind the opening of a bank account in the false name of Felda to enable the syndicate to conduct sales transactions.
A six-day remand order until Wednesday (June 19) was issued by Magistrate Wan Farrah Fariza Wan Ghazali after an application was made by the MACC at the Kota Kinabalu Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
According to sources, the suspect was arrested when he appeared to give his statement at the Sabah MACC office at 9.45pm on Wednesday.
SPONSORED CONTENT Hajiji says positive economic achievements prove Sabah govt’s commitment Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, emphasised that the positive economic achievements over the past three years underscore the Sabah government’s steadfast commitment to both the administration and development of the state. Read more “His arrest is a follow-up to the arrest of eight individuals, including two women and a man here and five men in in Kuala Lumpur, some of whom hold positions as bank officers, brokers and company directors last Tuesday.
“The suspect is believed to have been acting to ensure that the fake Felda bank account can be opened in order to convince buyers that the land sale transactions are genuine,” he said.
According to the source, the MACC has recorded the statements of 16 individuals, including a senior official and two Felda employees, in addition to a developer company since Monday.
Meanwhile, MACC Anti-Money Laundering Division Director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, when contacted, confirmed the arrest of the ninth suspect.
He said the case was investigated in accordance with Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Illegal Activities Act 2001.
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