Businessman arrested for submitting false claims

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 26): A businessman has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for submitting false claims to a district education office in Sabah for the supply of raw materials to maintain and repair schools worth about RM45,000.

According to sources, the suspect, in his 40s, was arrested around 12.30am on Friday after giving his statement at the Sabah MACC office.

Following the arrest, the suspect was brought to the Kota Kinabalu Magistrate’s Court for a seven-day remand order starting Oct 25 until Nov 1.

“The suspect is believed to have committed the act in 2024 when he submitted two payment claims of approximately RM25,000 and RM20,000.

The payment demand was intended to supply raw materials for the repair and maintenance of the school but the supply was not implemented, said the sources.

Sabah MACC director Datuk S. Karunanithy confirmed the arrest and said the case was being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

Karunanithy believed more arrests will be made in the near future.