KUALA LUMPUR: A contract manager from a leading construction company, his wife, and two company directors have been remanded by anti-corruption officials over alleged bribery linked to a RM180mil data centre construction project in Johor.

The suspects were remanded following an application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court on Friday (July 18).

Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin granted a seven-day remand for the male contract manager until July 24, while his wife was remanded for three days until July 20.

The two male company directors were ordered to be remanded for five days until July 22.

Sources indicated that the suspects, aged between their 40s and 60s, were detained as part of Ops Ways, an operation conducted by the MACC’s Investigation Division in various locations around the Klang Valley on Thursday (July 17).

During the operation, investigators seized approximately RM7.5mil in cash from the contract manager’s residence.

“The money is believed to be kickbacks paid to the suspect in return for securing six procurement tenders related to the project,” a source revealed.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the contract manager demanded a 2.5% commission in bribes for each tender awarded to the two companies involved.

MACC deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests, stating the case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) and Section 17(A) of the MACC Act 2009.