THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested 59 individuals – 41 men and 18 women – through Ops Hire 2.0, for falsifying Penjana Kerjaya claims. 

In the latest arrests yesterday, 12 individuals aged between 29 and 53 were nabbed in operations across the country.

Confirming the arrests, MACC senior director of investigations Hishamuddin Hashim said many more will be detained.

“All suspects will be brought to the magistrate’s court to be remanded,” he said.

Ops Hire 2.0 is an extension of Ops Hire 1.0, which was implemented last year throughout the country in collaboration with Social Security Organisation and MACC.

The operation is to curb the embezzlement and leakage of government funds as a result of false claims made by company directors in the programme. 

Yesterday, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed that hundreds more companies have been identified as being involved in cases of false claims related to funds under Penjana Kerjaya.

He also gave an ultimatum to the companies involved to surrender or face strict action.

Khusairi said MACC will continue their operations, especially through Ops Hire, to arrest all those involved.

Yesterday, the MACC remanded 47 company directors in Selangor, Kuala Terengganu, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Putrajaya, Sabah and Sarawak following cases of falsifying Penjana Kerjaya claims. 

All of them are suspected of submitting claims containing false details to obtain allocations under the recruitment incentive. 

In the previous Ops Hire 1.0, a total of 74 people from 60 companies were arrested involving false claims worth RM88 million. Of that number, 52 people were charged in court. – May 17, 2023.