KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained four more individuals suspected of accepting bribes in return for assisting in processing and approving personal loan applications submitted by a financial consultancy firm.
According to sources, the suspects, comprising two officers and two former officers of banking institutions aged in their 20s and 30s, were detained at 4pm yesterday while providing their statements at the MACC headquarters.
Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin issued a five-day remand order until Wednesday (January 22) for two men and two women, following MACC's application at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court this morning.
"The MACC received several complaints and information regarding bribery activities involving banking institution officers who facilitated and approved personal loan applications through a financial consultancy company.
"These banking officers are believed to have received bribes from the consultancy company, which prepared documents suspected of containing false information about clients applying for personal loans," said the source.
Meanwhile, the same court extended the remand for five men previously detained, allowing for an additional four days until Tuesday (January 21).
When contacted, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests and said the case is being investigated under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.
He added that seven other individuals, who had been remanded since Wednesday (January 15), have been released on MACC bail.
— Bernama