KOTA KINABALU: A government department director was arrested by graft investigators for allegedly abusing his position to approve air tickets for his wife and son worth RM6,000 when they were not entitled to the perquisite.

       The 54-year-old is alleged to have committed the offence when he was a director of a public college in Tawau between 2017 and 2018, according to sources.

       He is expected to be charged in court soon.

       The sources said the suspect was arrested when he turned up at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Kuala Lumpur office to assist in the investigation at about 9am on Monday.

       The investigation, the sources said, was being carried out by MACC staff from the Tawau branch.

       It is understood that the suspect had used the perquisite on his wife and son to Kuala Lumpur for work several times while he was only entitled to it once a year.

       Sabah MACC director Datuk S. Karunanithy, when contacted, confirmed the arrest.

       He said the case was being probed under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 and the suspect was released on MACC bail with one surety. He added that the suspect would be charged in Tawau court on Feb 24.