Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has called in 18 Sabah assemblymen to provide statements concerning allegations of corruption tied to a mineral project procurement in the state, announced MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the investigation concerning the case has been completed, with the findings submitted to the deputy public prosecutor for further action. However, the deputy public prosecutor has requested additional statements to be finalized by the end of the month. Azam assured that he would personally announce any new developments by February.

Azam revealed that the MACC opened two investigation papers under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009. The investigation is being carried out in collaboration with the Sabah police to gather more information on the case. Recent media reports highlighted video recordings allegedly showing an assemblyman accepting significant sums of money to endorse a company's project application, with discussions involving a businessman and several politicians, including senior figures.

In a separate matter, Azam disclosed that the MACC has been granted permission to prosecute two individuals, including the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of a highway concession company, in a corruption case concerning two highway projects in the Klang Valley. The COO is expected to face two charges under Section 16(A) of the MACC Act 2009, while another individual, a project manager at a private company, will face three charges under the same act. Previous media reports indicated that eight individuals, including a CEO and two senior managers of a highway concession company, were detained on suspicion of soliciting and accepting bribes related to the highway projects.