IPOH, March 17 — Investigations into the naval procurement scandal revealed a whopping RM48 million exchanged hands between the Royal Malaysian Navy’s fleet supply depot in Lumut and suppliers.
A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) insider believes this could be the tip of the iceberg as the budget allocated by the government to the depot for procurement of fleet parts is RM300 million.
He believes more navy officers could be involved in the scandal.
The insider said the figure could grow as the MACC had only been able to identify 21 suppliers since it began its investigations last Tuesday.
Yesterday, the MACC applied to extend the remand orders on six navy officers and five civilians at the lower court complex here.
Four other suspects — all civilians — were released without bail subject to them being called back as witnesses for the MACC.
The six navy officers and five civilians have been remanded for three more days until Thursday.
Malay Mail learnt the six navy personnel include a captain and two lieutenant-commanders.
The source said information obtained by the MACC following the arrest of the suspects pointed to thousands of false transactions that could amount to more than RM48 million.
This amount involves only 21 suppliers but it is understood there are more than 2,000 suppliers registered with the navy’s fleet supply depot.
The source said the MACC hoped to track down other suspects.
He said the current investigations included scrutinising bank accounts and also looking into movable and immovable assets, including the movement of money.
The commission will also likely look into major transactions involving those yet to be arrested.
Malay Mail had reported that millions of ringgit had exchanged hands between suppliers and members of the fleet supply depot over the past five years.
Both parties had gone on to splurge their ill-gotten gains by buying expensive personal items and luxury vehicles.
