Cash, luxury yacht, helicopters, luxury cars seized from head of “project tender cartel”

742
- Advertisement - [resads_adspot id="2"]

A senior government official – a 38-year-old quantity surveyor – has been arrested, making him the eighth suspect to be apprehended in relation to the case.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) found RM3.5 million cash during a raid at the house of the suspect who headed a “project tender cartel”, which was crippled on Sunday night.

MACC

The 47-year-old business executive with a ‘Datuk’ title was said to have amassed an extraordinary amount of wealth and assets, including a luxury yacht and two helicopters.

MACC

This was uncovered by investigators from the MACC as investigations into the cartel intensified.

Sources close to the investigations said RM15.7 million worth of luxury vehicles, which included several Mercedes-Benz models and Range Rovers, were seized.

MACC

A further RM29 million worth of properties, including a bungalow, a shoplot, and an office lot were attributed to the suspect, and have been reportedly seized.

Sources said 644 bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies, estimated at RM100 million were also frozen in the course of the investigation.

The “project cartel” is believed to have been awarded 345 tenders from different ministries and agencies nationwide since 2014.

The cartel is reported to have controlled 150 companies that were being used to submit tender bids to ministries and agencies, resulting in the monopoly of RM3.8 billion worth of government projects.

Following surveillance, the main suspect and six others were arrested at two separate locations in Ampang and Cyberjaya where they were caught red-handed by investigators – they were in the process of filling up tender application forms.

It was also reported that a senior government official has been arrested, making him the eighth suspect to be apprehended in relation to the case.

MACC

The latest suspect is a 38-year-old quantity surveyor and is believed to have used his position as a Grade 48 civil servant to give out information on projects in return for bribes.

“He was arrested at his home in Ampang last night. He received RM300,000 for each round of information supplied to the syndicate. To date, he has received RM1.2 million.

“More people will be arrested,” an unnamed source was quoted as saying.


Earlier report: Apr 5, “Project cartel” syndicate behind RM3.8b govt tenders busted