KOTA KINABALU: A former private college director has been detained by anti-corruption officers in connection with allegations of a false claim from a government agency to provide three questionable “courses” that were incomplete.

       The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sabah arrested the man in his 40s for making false claims.

       Sources said the suspect is a former director of a private college in Kota Kinabalu and was detained at the Kota Kinabalu MACC office at about 10am today (Feb 7) when he turned up to give his statement.

       The suspect is believed to have submitted a false claim amounting to more than RM300,000 to a government agency in Kota Kinabalu in 2018 involving three separate claims.

       The claim involved three programmes implemented at the college where he allegedly made a full claim for attendance as well as student allowances.

       It is learnt that claims were made for students who did not attend the courses as well as courses which were not completed.

       When contacted, Sabah MACC director Datuk S. Karunanithy confirmed the arrest and said the case was being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act.

       He said there was no remand application against the suspect and he was released on the same day after his statement was taken.

       He said the suspect was issued with MACC bail at RM5,000 with one surety.

       “The suspect will be charged in the Kota Kinabalu Special Sessions Court for Corruption on a date to be set later,” he added.

       Private college director, false claims, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)