Penang: A retired state local authority (PBT) staff has been remanded for allegedly abusing his position by awarding vehicle repair and maintenance contracts to a company owned by his wife two years ago. Magistrate Nur Fadrina Zulkhairi granted a remand order until March 1 after an application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at the Magistrate's Court here today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the suspect, in his 50s, was arrested at about 1 pm yesterday when he appeared to give a statement at the Penang MACC office. Initial investigations revealed that in 2024, the suspect used his position to appoint his wife's company to carry out repair and maintenance works on office vehicles at his workplace, involving about RM700,000.

Penang MACC director Datuk Karunanithy Subbiah confirmed the arrest, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009. He stated that investigations are ongoing, including a review of contract documents and related financial transactions, before the investigation paper is submitted to the deputy public prosecutor.