FOUR individuals were detained today by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly siphoning about RM40 million from the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK).

MACC said in a statement that the PTPK officials are believed to have worked together in siphoning funds from the government to conduct skills training programmes for the unemployed.

PTPK is a statutory body under the Human Resources Ministry responsible for managing skills training loan funds for trainees.

The four PTPK officials arrested are chief executive, secretary, assistant financial officer, and director.

The four were detained at several locations in Kuala Lumpur between 4.30pm and 6pm.

According to sources, the four individuals were believed to have swindled the money between last year and this year.

Sources said last year the government had allocated RM35 million to RM40 million for the PTPK to manage the training programmes.

“Initial investigation had found that in 2016, they had swindled between RM15 million to RM25 million,” the statement said.

The chief executive, secretary, and assistant financial officer had also conspired with the director to let 15 of the director’s companies to run the PTPK programmes.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Bakri confirmed the arrests.

He said  the commission was compiling the documents pertaining to the issue and would call in witnesses to record their statements. 

He also did not rule out the possibility that more individuals could be arrested to assist in investigations.

“We will investigate this case in detail and identify the witnesses who need to be called to assist in the investigation,” he said. – September 13, 2017.