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THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) detained two lecturers, an officer of an oil-related company and a director of an engineering company to assist investigations into a case of soliciting and receiving bribes of approximately RM5 million from several companies.
This was in return for helping to secure research projects and the embezzlement of research funds at a private higher education institution (IPTS) in the north.
According to sources, all the suspects - three men and a woman in their 40s- were detained between 2 and 5 pm yesterday when they appeared to give statements at the Perak MACC office.
Sources said that in addition to the arrests, MACC also froze 70 bank accounts worth approximately RM8.5 million and seized seven vehicles to assist in the investigation.
"Initial investigations found that the activity is believed to have taken place between 2019 and 2025, where officers and company directors were used as proxies for the two IPTS lecturers to accept bribes.
"All suspects are believed to have conspired to commit the act, and the two lecturers had received the money in cash and also through money transfers to their respective personal bank accounts.”
Meanwhile, MACC Intelligence Division Senior Director Datuk Saiful Ezral Arifin, when contacted, confirmed the arrest and informed that the case was being investigated under Section 16 (a) (A) of the MACC Act 2009.
He added that all of them are expected to be brought to the Ipoh Magistrate's Court tomorrow for a remand application.
