Putrajaya: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has remanded 17 company directors suspected of being involved in a cartel network for the Malaysian Army procurement tenders. The MACC, in its efforts to curb corruption, secured a five-day remand order until January 10, issued by Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah. This development followed an application made by the MACC at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the MACC revealed the arrests via their social media platform TikTok, stating that the suspects, comprising nine men and eight women aged between 20 and 60, were detained the previous night. They were apprehended between 8:30 pm and 11:30 pm upon appearing to give statements at the MACC office in Putrajaya. Initial investigations suggest that the suspects allegedly paid bribes to senior officers of the Malaysian Army (TDM) to secure supply and maintenance projects with TDM.

MACC Investigation Division senior director Datuk Zainul Darus confirmed the arrests and stated that the case is being investigated under Section 16(b) of the MACC Act 2009. In connection with the investigation, on December 29, the MACC seized six bank accounts believed to belong to a senior Army officer and his family members.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki announced that an investigation paper had been opened under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009. Additionally, on December 23, MACC officers visited the Ministry of Defence, focusing on projects conducted through open tender procurement methods and under the Army Responsibility Centre (PTJ).