Johor: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained a chairman of a housing committee of a federal statutory body in Johor for allegedly soliciting and accepting bribes as well as abusing his position in matters involving applications for housing lots.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the man, in his 40s, was detained when he turned up to give his statement at the Johor MACC office at about 7.30 pm yesterday. Preliminary investigations found that the suspect allegedly committed the offences between 2016 and 2025.

The sources said the suspect was believed to have solicited about RM4,000 from each of 400 applicants for housing lots, involving a total of about RM1.6 million. The money was then allegedly misappropriated for personal use through withdrawals from the committee's bank account using fake invoices.

Meanwhile, Johor MACC director Datuk Hairuzam Mohmad Amin@Hamim, when contacted, confirmed the arrest and said the case was being investigated under Sections 16(a)(A), 18 and 23 of the MACC Act 2009. He added that the suspect would be released on MACC bail after his statement had been recorded.