PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirms that a junior Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd executive is among the nine arrested in connection with alleged corruption involving projects worth more than RM2.3bil.

       “The MACC would like to state that we have arrested a junior executive of Petronas Carigali and not its chief executive officer as alleged by certain parties,” it said on Monday (April 11).

       The agency explained that investigation into the case was the result of good cooperation and sharing of information between MACC and Petronas in an effort to improve integrity within the government-linked company.

       Aside from the Petronas Carigali employees, eight other individuals remanded were owners and senior officials of companies – mainly contractors and vendors.

       On Friday, the MACC obtained remand orders against six individuals from the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court and two from the Kuching Magistrate’s Court.

       A ninth person was arrested and remanded in Bintulu, Sarawak on Saturday.

       Sources believed the Petronas Carigali officer, who is in his 40s, and senior officers from the companies, allegedly committed the offences between 2017 and last year.

       Sources said the officer is believed to have received monies from the companies following their successful offshore contracts worth RM2.3bil.

       MACC had also seized several items belonging to the suspects, including 10 luxury vehicles, 50 pieces of jewellery, gold bars and 13 luxury handbags from the suspects.

       They also seized 15 watches and cash in various currencies worth about RM27,000 from the suspects.

       The MACC also froze 12 company and individual accounts as part of the probe.