THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today arrested 19 contractors on suspicion of having submitted falsified bank statements involving about RM49 million to the Sabah Education Department.

According to a source, all the suspects, aged between 24 and 53, were picked up at the MACC office in Kota Kinabalu at about 10am.

The source said the falsified bank statements were submitted as an inducement to secure tenders for several school projects in Sabah.

Sabah MACC director S. Karunanithy, when contacted, confirmed the arrests and said the case is being investigated under section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 and section 471 of the penal code.

He said the suspects – 10 men and nine women – will be charged in the Kota Kinabalu special corruption court soon.

He also said in 2020, Sabah MACC arrested 39 contractors believed to have used the same modus operandi, involving a contract value of more than RM80 million.

Following the arrests, he said 132 charges were brought against them at the special corruption court in Sabah last year. – Bernama, March 5, 2022.