MACC detains a director-general, NGO officials and a plantation manager in three separate cases involving alleged corruption and misappropriation of funds.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested five individuals in three separate cases involving alleged corruption and misappropriation of funds totalling about RM1.42 million.

In Putrajaya, two senior officers of a government agency, including a director-general, were detained.

They are suspected of conspiring in 2024 to abuse their positions and divert public funds amounting to RM900,000 for personal benefit.

The two men, both in their 50s, were arrested when they turned up to give statements at the MACC headquarters.

They also allegedly submitted false claims and documents amounting to about RM60,000 to perform the umrah while attending official duties in Jeddah.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests.

The case is being investigated under Sections 18 and 23 of the MACC Act 2009, as well as provisions of the Penal Code related to criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of property.

In a separate case, MACC arrested a man and a woman in their 40s, including the director of a non-governmental organisation.

They are accused of misappropriating about RM500,000 in public donations between 2022 and 2025.

The duo are believed to have deceived the public into channelling welfare and humanitarian contributions through the NGO.

The funds allegedly never reached the intended recipients.

MACC has also frozen 13 personal accounts, including Amanah Saham Bumiputera and Tabung Haji accounts, involving about RM2 million.

The suspects have been remanded until Feb 14.

Meanwhile, in Pahang, MACC detained an oil palm plantation manager for allegedly soliciting and receiving about RM20,000 in bribes.

The money was believed to have been paid in exchange for allowing two cooperative companies to use estate roads for transporting palm oil harvests.

The suspect, in his 30s, allegedly received two cash payments of RM10,000 each between 2023 and 2024.

He has been remanded for five days until Feb 15 to facilitate further investigations.

 The Sun Malaysia