THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested 46 canteen operators since 2019 for submitting false financial statements to obtain canteen management tenders in schools nationwide.

Of this number, 42 were charged, with 13 being found guilty, said MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Ahmad Kushairi Yahaya.

At the same period, MACC opened 49 investigation papers on false financial statement submissions to obtain such tenders.

“A total of 49 investigation papers were opened and 46 individuals have been detained in connection with the investigation of canteen management tender procurement throughout the country.

“Of the total detained, 42 of them have been charged in court and a total of 13 people have been found guilty,” Kushairi told The Malaysian Insight.

“MACC has warned parties to stop such acts (submitting false documents),” he said.

In September 2019, The Malaysian Insight reported that the Education Ministry terminated the contract of 16 companies for school canteens.

They allegedly forged bank statements while participating in the tender to obtain the contract.

Their contracts were terminated on August 6, 2019. The ministry said it was also in the process of terminating several other companies in stages, including security and building hygiene services.

The Malaysian Insight also reported that more than 140 contracts were revoked after a special task force found elements of fraud, where the contractors allegedly provided false bank statements.

These were contracts awarded from January 2019.

Sources also said ministry officials who approved these contracts were also referred to the MACC. – July 15, 2020.