KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained seven people as part of its investigation into the findings of the RCI report on Tabung Haji (TH).

According to sources, the suspects, comprising a chief executive officer, a former director, a director and four former TH senior executives, were arrested separately between 3pm and 10.30pm last night at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.

“The first suspect, a shipping company CEO with a ‘Datuk’ title in his 60s, was arrested on suspicion of submitting documents with false details when making payments to TH. It involved falsifying a petroleum company contract to benefit his own firm.

“The second suspect is a construction company director with a ‘Datuk’ title, also in his 60s. He is suspected of deceiving TH officers into investing in a construction company with a promise that the firm had potential to be listed on Bursa Malaysia,” the source said.

The third suspect, a former company director with a ‘Datuk Seri’ title in his 60s, was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the same matter as the second suspect, the source added.

Meanwhile, four former senior TH management members, aged between 50 and 60, including one with a “Datuk Seri” title and a woman, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in corrupt practices leading TH into a hotel lease with a company in Saudi Arabia worth SR2.49 billion, resulting in losses to the pilgrimage fund.

Sources said only the shipping company CEO and construction company director were remanded, while the other five suspects were released on MACC bail for health reasons.

Magistrate Ahmad Afiq Hasan issued a five-day remand order until August 19 for both suspects after allowing MACC’s application at the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court this morning.

MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman confirmed the arrests when contacted, and said the case is being investigated under Sections 18 and 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009. — Bernama