The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested five individuals, including a government agency chairman bearing a Datuk title, in an ongoing probe into the alleged abuse of power in the disposal of eight plots of land in Seberang Perai Selatan, Penang.
The suspects, aged between their 40s and 50s, comprise the agency chairman, two company directors, a technical manager and a female clerk. They were arrested separately at the Penang MACC headquarters between 11am and noon on 20 August, Malay Mail reported.
Sources said the chairman, described by The Star as a Datuk in his 50s, allegedly exploited his dual roles as deputy chairman and board member of the agency to approve the sale of the eight land parcels in 2015. The buyer was a company believed to be linked to an associate of the chairman. The sale was first reported by Buletin TV3.
The plots of land are suspected of having been sold significantly below market value, a MACC source told FMT, causing the government agency to incur losses of approximately RM1.96 million. Investigators allege the chairman held both the deputy chairmanship and a board seat, giving him a direct role in approving the disposal of the government-owned land to the linked company.
The agency falls under a ministry, though neither the ministry nor the agency has been publicly named. No comment has been obtained from the suspects or their legal representatives. MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman confirmed the arrests when contacted. The commission is investigating the case under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009, which criminalises the abuse of position by public officers for personal gain. Under this provision, a person convicted of using their office for gratification faces a maximum 20-year prison term and a fine.
The five suspects are expected to be produced before the George Town Magistrates’ Court for a remand application on 21 August. Under Malaysian law, MACC can apply for an initial remand of up to four days to carry out further questioning. The remand hearing will determine whether the suspects can continue to be held during the investigation.
