Federal agency chairman set to face corruption charge over Penang land sale

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 14 — The chairman of a federal agency linked to the Malaysian government faces corruption charges tomorrow in Sessions Court, according to The Star. The 50-year-old deputy chairman and board member is set to be charged under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. The charges stem from the alleged sale of government land in Penang for below market value, which allegedly occurred in 2015.

The land was reportedly sold to a company believed to be owned by an associate of the suspect, resulting in an estimated loss of RM1.96 million. He is currently among five suspects held by the MACC, with the other four suspects including two company directors, a technical manager, and a female clerk. The MACC alleges that the chairman abused his power in the disposal of eight plots of land in South Seberang Perai, using his position as both the agency's deputy chairman and a board member to approve the sale. The chairman, who is also a state leader of a political party, stood in the last general election.