BINTULU: A community leader (ketua kaum) has been remanded for five days to assist in investigations into the alleged misappropriation of RM455,000 in compensation money.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sarawak said Magistrate Galvin Loo Wei Ling issued the remand order until Jan 26 following an application made at the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday (Jan 22).
According to sources, the male suspect, in his 50s, was arrested at around 7 pm on Tuesday while providing a statement at the MACC Bintulu branch office.
“Preliminary investigations found that the suspect, who also serves as a ketua kaum, is believed to have committed the offence between 2019 and 2023.
“The suspect is suspected of misappropriating the funds, which were handed over by a logging company intended as compensation for longhouse residents affected by a logging project in the area owned by them,” the source said.
Meanwhile, MACC Sarawak director Hasbilah Mohamad Salleh, when contacted, confirmed the arrest and the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009.
In addition, authorities also seized RM9,500 in cash and a mobile phone.
