PETALING JAYA, March 21 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is expected to interview more people as the anti-graft body is tracing the money trail following the arrest of a ranking Youth and Sports Ministry officer who misappropriated RM100 million over the past six years.

Those representing various programmes, where the funds were dubiously channelled to, will also be questioned as MACC are determined to uncover if anyone else within the ministry or its agencies were working hand-in-glove with the suspect.

The 56-year-old officer was arrested during a raid last Friday.

MACC said the money was channelled to the contractors' companies and the suspect's bank accounts through the National Sports Council.

Its investigations division director Datuk Azam Baki said the suspect had allegedly withdrew RM500,000 from one of his 69 bank accounts a day before he was arrested. 

Some RM200,000 of it was used to pay his credit card bills while RM40,000 were transferred to his son's bank account.

The suspect is married with two sons, both in their 20s. One of them is a businessman while the youngest is studying in Australia. The suspect's wife is a homemaker.

“The suspect transferred RM40,000 to his son's bank account for accommodation and expenses as he is studying in Australia,” Azam said.

During the raid, MACC seized several goods from the suspect worth about RM20 million. These include designer handbags, luxury vehicles and an art piece ''Tree of Serenity'' by renowned Australian fine art photographer Peter Lik. The piece, worth RM62,000, was bought from the artist's gallery in the United States.

A collection of fine jewellery, including a Cartier pearl ring which costs RM600,000, was seized from his office in Putrajaya.

“The suspect and his family would travel first class to Europe, US and Australia at least once a month,” Azam said.

He said MACC was still investigating how many houses the suspect received as kickbacks from his eight accomplices who were also arrested on the same day.

“As of now, we are only aware of two houses — a semi-detached house and a terrace house,” he said.