THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating a massive RM100 million corruption case involving a ministry and at least 10 companies.

Probes into allegations of leakages and the siphoning off of government funds for projects began a year ago, but only recently gained traction following the triggering of Bank Negara Malaysia’s Suspicious Transaction Report alert system on the movements of significant amounts of monies in the suspects’ accounts, the New Straits Times reported.

A source close to the MACC investigation told the daily that the scope, breadth and enormity of the case would put other major corruption scandals to shame.

“We are talking about massive amounts of leakages of government funds,” the source said.

A group of senior officials at a ministry had allegedly worked hand in glove with the private companies to declare on paper that projects they were supposed to undertake had been completed, when in fact, nothing had been done.

According to sources, these individuals would have easily pocketed RM100 million.

“These involved tens of projects and initiatives that were supposed to be implemented to help the poor, including those that cost between RM500 million and RM1 billion,” they were quoted as saying.

One of the initiatives was the Poor Students’ Food Programme, which is under the Education Ministry.

MACC investigators have identified at least five ministry officers, who were in cahoots with the companies to embezzle the funds.

“They have been doing it for a few years now, and were siphoning funds off numerous projects that never materialised.” said a source.

“Then, there are projects that were not carried out according to specifications. Cutbacks were done indiscriminately.

“This case is not just about stealing from funds that were supposed to go towards infrastructure development. Even the food programme for poor students was not spared.”

It is learnt that MACC has identified up to 10 companies that had been working with the officers.

“This number could very well go up as investigations progress,” said sources.

“It is understood that the case is being probed under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.”

The Malaysian Insight is attempting to contact MACC for further details. – October 4, 2017.