PUTRAJAYA: A Datuk and a woman were among nine individuals remanded in connection with an investigation into a RM85mil project involving an automotive-related agency.

       It is learnt that the nine were arrested at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters here on Wednesday (March 23) evening when they were summoned for questioning.

       Sources said four of the suspects were company owners, a medical advisor, an accountant, a company director, a chief executive and a chief operations officer.

       Sources said that graft investigators had obtained a remand order between three and six days which was issued by Magistrate Shah Wira Abdul Halim on Thursday (March 24).

       The suspects are said to be aged between 34 and 58.

       It is learnt that two of the suspects had asked for bribes of more than RM14mil from three other suspects.

       Sources said the monies were meant as a reward for assisting companies owned by the trio to be awarded grants between 2018 and 2020.

       When contacted, MACC special ops division senior director Datuk Tan Kang Sai confirmed the arrests.