KUALA LUMPUR: Two individuals, including a former political secretary to a former senior Cabinet minister, were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as part of an investigation into kickbacks from a book printing project worth approximately RM80mil. The other person detained is a company owner suspected of collaborating with the former minister in receiving bribes through his company, following the approval of a book printing project through direct negotiations. The MACC apprehended both men after taking their statements at their headquarters in Putrajaya on Friday night. The former political secretary is in his 20s, and the company owner is in his 50s. The MACC secured a four-day remand for the suspects until September 26 from the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court registrar Nur Adilah Halid. The case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act, confirmed MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya.
In response to the arrests, Putrajaya MP Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin vehemently maintained his innocence, stating that he has never solicited or accepted bribes. He also denied allegations that he approved direct negotiations for the RM80mil project. Furthermore, he dismissed claims linking him and his wife to the printing of J-Qaf pre-school books and refuted allegations that his wife acted as a proxy for a company called ATR One & Only Enterprise or that she held a Tengku title. He clarified that his wife is not a member of any royal family and has no connection to the aforementioned company. Radzi acknowledged the arrest of his former political secretary and condemned the dissemination of a WhatsApp message aimed at tarnishing his reputation and oppressing his innocent former officer. He warned that legal action may be taken against those who forwarded and reprinted the accusations.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
