MACC nabs man for soliciting almost RM2 mil in Jana Wibawa-linked case

Ex-court deputy registrar sought bribes to change accused in case to witness, among others

PUTRAJAYA – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested a former deputy court registrar for his alleged role in soliciting almost RM2 million to help resolve a probe into a businessman linked to the Jana Wibawa project.

A source was quoted as saying by Bernama that the 50-year-old man was believed to have solicited bribes in return for, among others, to request MACC to change an accused to a witness, and to change the corruption charge to an alternative one.

The suspect was arrested at 9.30pm yesterday when he showed up to have his statement taken at the MACC office in Kuala Lumpur. “The suspect was a deputy court registrar in Putrajaya and retired in December 2021.”

Kuala Lumpur MACC director Razaliah Ab Rahman has confirmed that the case is being investigated under Section 16 (a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009. The individual is currently detained for three days after MACC successfully applied for a remand order at the Putrajaya magistrates’ court.

To date, Bersatu chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and two other party figures have been charged with corruption involving Jana Wibawa. The other two are Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan and Segambut Bersatu deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad.

Businessman Mohd Hussein Mohd Nasir, known as “Datuk Roy”, has been remanded for four days since yesterday as anti-graft authorities continue to probe into the Jana Wibawa programme. He is believed to be the mastermind behind a corruption case – allegedly soliciting bribes amounting to RM400,000 to avoid investigating the Jana Wibawa programme, along with three other individuals.

Datuk Teo Wee Cheng, a director of a furniture company, also faces nine charges of soliciting and accepting bribes amounting to RM12.87 million in connection with the scheme.

– The Vibes, March 18, 2023