THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will arrest more people in its probe into Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd’s (FIC) purchase of “overpriced” properties, The Star reported today.

Quoting sources, the daily reported that MACC would detain more “key players” who were the “hidden hands” behind the hotel purchases in Kensington, London, and Kuching, Sarawak.

MACC is also expected to visit FIC’s office and Felda’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to collect more evidence.

“MACC will look closely into other Felda and FIC-owned assets and properties to ensure there are no elements of corruption and abuse of power.

“The commission will scrutinise all documents and contracts ‘word by word’ to make sure there is no hanky-panky,” the source who is closely following the probe told The Star.

This week, MACC has arrested two key officials over the two hotel purchases at prices over the market value. 

Yesterday, a former Felda chairman’s special officer, Zahid Md Arip, was remanded to assist the probe into the Kuching hotel purchase.

On Monday, MACC detained former FIC chief executive officer Zaid Abdul Jalil for questioning over the hotel in London.

On July 21, two former key officials of a valuation firm were also arrested in connection to the case. They were suspected of manipulating the price, resulting in FIC paying higher than the market value of the Kensington hotel.

Last week, three company directors, including the 57-year-old owner of the Kuching hotel, were arrested within 24 hours after MACC visited six locations in the Klang Valley and Kuching.

The other two suspects were also directors of a company, which was appointed as the agent to handle the purchase three years ago.

MACC is also investigating whether the two hotel purchases were linked. The probe on the Kuching hotel was ordered by MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad after officers found discrepancies while going through documents for the Kensington hotel investigation.

The Kuching hotel has 213 guest rooms and apartment suites. It was believed to be purchased by FIC, Felda’s investment arm, at a price between RM40 million and RM50 million higher than the market value.

Felda chairman Shahrir Abdul Samad said the Kuching hotel was purchased for RM160 million three years ago during the tenure of the previous FIC board members.

The Kensington hotel was reportedly bought at least £20 million (RM112 million) above its value. The property with 62 guest rooms and two three-bedroom serviced apartments were bought for £60 million (RM330 million) between 2013 and 2015. – August 2, 2017.