Govt agency chairman, four others remanded 4 days over alleged RM1.96m Penang land loss

A Datuk who serves as chairman of a government agency and four others have been detained for a period of four days on allegations of abusing their positions in the sale of eight plots of land owned by the agency in Penang. The transaction, which allegedly transpired in 2015, is believed to have resulted in a loss of approximately RM1.96 million.

The five individuals - the agency chairman, two directors of a company, a technical manager, and a female clerk - were granted remand until August 24 after Magistrate Noor Idayu Salim approved the application from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at the George Town Magistrates' Court. The suspects appeared at the MACC's Penang office on August 20 to provide statements.

The agency chairman is suspected of conspiring with the other four individuals to misuse their positions while serving as deputy chairman and board member to approve the sale of the plots in 2015 to a company allegedly owned by an associate of the chairman. The land was allegedly sold below market value, leading to the financial loss.

MACC's Chief Commissioner, Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman, confirmed the arrests and stated that the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.