MACC detains Mat Sabu's ex-aide over kickbacks in RM56m defence contract
MACC has detained an ex-aide to former defence minister and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, over alleged kickbacks in a RM56 million defence contract.
Sources confirmed with Malaysiakini that the individual was detained last night after he turned up at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya for questioning.
They said the former aide is alleged to have received millions from a company as kickbacks for helping to secure a defence systems maintenance project through direct tender in August 2019.
Malaysiakini is attempting to contact Mohamad, who is popularly known as Mat Sabu, for comment.
The sources said that the MACC had seized more than RM70,000 cash and documents from the aide.
Malaysiakini learned that MACC officers also brought the aide to the Amanah headquarters in Kuala Lumpur early this morning.
However, it is understood that the officers did not seize any items.
The aide has since been remanded for six days to facilitate investigations.
Previously in 2018, MACC opened an investigation against the same aide over an allegation that he received more than RM800,000 from several parties to settle his bankrupt status.
Previously, sources told Malaysiakini that the aide was declared bankrupt by the Insolvency Department sometime around 2014.
His status remained as such until late May 2018, when several payments were credited to the department's account as settlement for his debts.
"He is being investigated by the MACC after having his debts amounting to over RM800,000 paid by several parties.
"It was alleged that the payments were made on his behalf only a few days after Mohamad was sworn in as the defence minister,” said one of the sources.
In 2018, MACC had also recorded statements from 10 others, including several defence contractors and business representatives.
