
MACC identifies two more companies in data centre graft
According to a source in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), several company directors have also been identified and will be called to assist in the investigation into the case.
'The investigation also found that the main suspect, the project manager, admitted to having asked for about 3% of the project value from any company that wanted to obtain a project from a prominent construction company,' he said yesterday.
The source informed that the bribe was done by leaking the tender price and helping to ensure that the company that paid the bribe was given priority to win the tender.
'This bribe was paid in stages according to the progress of the project payment and it is understood that there are several million more that have yet to be paid by the company to the suspect as per their agreement,' the source said, Bernama reported.
The media previously reported that a project manager of a prominent construction company who was detained for investigation into a corruption case involving the procurement of a data centre construction project tender was willing to burn almost RM1mil in cash to destroy evidence after being shocked by the MACC raid through Ops Ways on Thursday.
According to sources, during the raid conducted at his home in Petaling Jaya, a team of officers found RM100 banknotes totalling almost RM1mil in flames.
As a result of a thorough inspection of the home, the MACC also found cash totalling about RM7.5mil stored in several pillow boxes, three Rolex, Omega and Cartier watches as well as jewellery such as rings and gold coins.
On Friday, the media reported that a contract manager, his wife and two men, aged in the 40s and 60s, were arrested by the MACC Investigation Division around the Klang Valley, believed to be involved in corruption involving the procurement of a data centre construction project tender in Johor worth about RM180mil.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
9 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Cost of living measures welcome but more needs to be done
LETTERS: The government's announcement to ease the cost of living is a step in the right direction, but it falls short of adequately addressing the long-term struggles faced by many Malaysians, particularly those in the low-income bracket. The RM100 one-off payment, fuel reduction, and additional public holiday do offer some relief, but does not tackle the root causes of persistent inflation. Maintaining toll fee stability is a positive measure but it is temporary and doesn't directly alleviate the burden on daily expenses. To further mitigate the cost of living crisis without excessive strain on national finances, it is suggested that several supplementary measures be introduced. Instead of blanket subsidies, the government could focus on direct aid to vulnerable groups. This could involve expanding existing Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM) programmes or introducing new initiatives specifically designed to assist low-income families with essential expenses like food and utilities. Careful targeting ensures maximum impact with minimal financial burden. The government could implement stricter price controls on essential goods, particularly staple foods and frequently consumed items. Regular market monitoring and collaboration with producers and retailers are crucial to ensure fair pricing. Investing in initiatives to increase domestic food production and reduce reliance on imports is another measure. This can include providing farmers with better access to resources, technology, and training, thus lowering food prices and enhancing food security. The authorities could Improve and expand public transportation to reduce reliance on private vehicles, thereby indirectly lowering transportation costs reducing some inconveniences for commuters. This could involve investing in more efficient and affordable bus and rail services. Another strategy could be the Implementation of nationwide financial literacy programmes to educate citizens on budgeting, saving, and managing their finances effectively. Empowering individuals with financial skills could be a long-term solution to navigate economic challenges. These suggestions offer a balanced approach to addressing the cost of living issues. They prioritise targeted assistance, efficient resource allocation, and long-term sustainable solutions. If implemented, they would minimise the financial strain on the nation while maximising the positive impact on the lives of ordinary Malaysians. The public have reacted to the Government's announcement. The Government must listen to various constructive comments and take further steps to ease the plight of the rakyat. Chairman


New Straits Times
9 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Analysts flag Nestle, F&N, Farm Fresh, Mr DIY as stimulus winners
KUALA LUMPUR: The recently announced government stimulus is expected to provide a modest boost to Malaysia's consumer sector by supporting short-term spending, particularly on essential items and value-focused retail. CIMB Securities said food and beverage (F&B) producers like Nestle (M) Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, QL Resources Bhd, and Farm Fresh Bhd are likely to benefit from increased demand for staple F&B products, many of which may be eligible for purchase using the RM100 credit. "Other retailers such as Mr DIY Group (M) Bhd, Padini Holdings Bhd, Aeon Co (M) Bhd, Yoong Onn Corporation Bhd, Bonia Corporation Bhd, Berjaya Food Bhd, and 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd, could see improved footfall and higher spending per customer as disposable incomes increase, amplified by the recent 25 basis point overnight policy rate cut to 2.75 per cent," it said. CIMB Securities said that within the consumer sector, it remains in favour of companies that benefit from the steady demand for everyday essentials and are well-positioned to tap into consumer downtrading by targeting the mass-market segment. It expressed a positive view on the consumer sector following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent announcement of new fiscal support measures. However, the research house is maintaining its current earnings forecasts, noting that the fiscal measures are already in line with its existing revenue growth assumptions for the companies under its coverage. It reiterated a "Neutral" stance on the sector, which is trading at 27.2 times one-year forward price to earnings ratio, slightly more than one standard deviation below its five-year average of 29.1 times. CIMB Securities said current valuations appear reasonable, given the backdrop of subdued consumer sentiment, higher sales tax on discretionary goods, ongoing boycott-driven impact on certain companies such as Nestle (M) and Berjaya Food, as well as cost pressures from the widened Sales and Service Tax on rental expenses.

Barnama
17 minutes ago
- Barnama
UTS Enrolment To Hit 5,000 By Year-end
SIBU, July 24 (Bernama) -- The number of students furthering their studies at Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS) here is expected to reach 5,000 by the end of this year, said State Deputy Minister of Education and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee. He said the enrolment at the Sarawak government-owned university now exceeds 4,000, comprising students from across Sarawak and other parts of the country. 'I can assure you that by the end of this year, we might reach 5,000. By next year, definitely 5,000 students, and that is our full capacity,' he told reporters after the UTS Appreciation Dinner 2025 last night. Dr Annuar said UTS now records the highest enrolment among local universities in Sarawak. 'During the recent intake for the foundation programme, there were even students from West Malaysia,' he added. He said UTS has become the university of choice for students from the central region, surpassing Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus in Kuching and Curtin University Malaysia in Miri in terms of student numbers. Dr Annuar said that when he was appointed UTS chairman in 2021, the university had around 1,200 students, with enrolment falling during the COVID‑19 pandemic. To make higher education more accessible to poor families, he and vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Khairuddin Ab Hamid introduced bursaries covering 50 per cent of tuition fees for all students, with an additional 80 per cent bursary reserved for 100 students from the B40 group. 'We were criticised then that UTS, which was built using government funds, was not meant for poor people because its fees were too high. 'Without fees, you cannot run a university, but doing nothing would make it a burden. Thanks to the bursary scheme, the university has grown from around 1,200 students to more than 4,000 now and is on track to reach 5,000,' he added.