KUALA LUMPUR (June 25): The chief executive officer of a highway concessionaire in the Klang Valley and seven others have been arrested for alleged bribery in connection with two highway projects worth RM1.67 billion, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) sources.

MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests on Tuesday.  He said the case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.

According to the sources, the CEO, who has a Datuk title, and two other senior officials of the concessionaire have been remanded for four days until June 28. Meanwhile, five others - from a different company - have been remanded for three days until June 27.

The remand order was issued by Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin following an application by the MACC at the Magistrate's Court in Putrajaya on Tuesday.

"The three suspects from the highway concessionaire are suspected of soliciting and accepting bribes from the owners of the [other] company in return for securing contracts to take over construction works previously awarded to another company worth over RM1 billion,” said the sources.

"Additionally, they are believed to have solicited and accepted bribes related to the construction of another section of a highway project in the Klang Valley valued at approximately RM670 million,” the sources added.

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