KOTA KINABALU: A quantity surveyor with a local district office was arrested on suspicion of receiving bribes amounting to more than RM200,000 from contractors to help them secure projects undertaken by the district office.

The suspect, in his 30s, was arrested at the Sabah headquarters of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) here at about 7pm on Tuesday (July 9) when he turned up to give his statement.

The suspect was ordered to be remanded for four days (until July 13) by Magistrate Wan Farrah Farizza Wan Ghazali, following an application made by the MACC at a Kota Kinabalu Magistrate's Court earlier Wednesday (July 9)

According to sources, the suspect was alleged to have been taking bribes valued at over RM200,000 from several contractors and supplier companies to help them obtain projects at a local district office.

The projects involved poverty eradication, the construction of new Rumah Mesra Rakyat, garbage disposal centres and the supply of vehicle spare parts between 2021 and 2024, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Sabah MACC director Datuk S. Karunanithy when contacted confirmed the arrest and said the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 for corruption.