KOTA KINABALU, Oct 20 — Nineteen district engineers have been arrested for allegedly taking kickbacks from contracts in connection with the high-profile Sabah water department corruption scandal.

An MACC source said the investigation team also seized some RM2.4 million from the arrests, and procurement files from 27 locations around the state.

The divisional or district engineers were believed to be pocketing up to 30 per cent of the contract value which were awarded to proxy contractors.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki, confirmed the arrests but declined to elaborate.

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He also denied the involvement of state or federal political figures in the investigation, saying it was focused on the civil servants’ abuse of power in their positions.

The case previously saw five suspects arrested for siphoning money from RM3.3 billion worth of federal projects into some 38 companies belonging to their proxies.

The director, deputy director, his “Datuk” brother, the Datuk’s accountant and the former deputy director of the department, were all arrested by the MACC and are currently out on bail while the probe continues.

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More than RM52 million in cash were seized from the director and his deputy, along with jewelry, luxury cars, land titles and foreign currency.

More money was later seized from foreign bank accounts.

The director and his deputy have been suspended from work following the arrest.

The case so far has seen over 80 witnesses called in for their statements to be taken.