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Emmanuel Samarathisa · · 1 min read

Malaysian graftbuster probes MDEC over $4.9m in false claims

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is being investigated by the country’s anti-corruption commission (MACC) over false claims worth more than 23 million ringgit (US$4.9 million).

Two former MDEC officials (in orange) were brought to court to face charges in approving millions in false claims. / Photo credit: MACC

National newswire Bernama first reported the matter on September 23 but did not reveal the name of the government agency.

Sources close to the situation, however, told Tech in Asia that the entity concerned was MDEC and the investigations involve the agency’s sharing economy department, among other concerns.

An MDEC spokesperson confirmed the matter with Tech in Asia but added it could not comment due to the ongoing probes.

The anti-graft agency’s investigation is centered upon two undisclosed companies that were paid claims by MDEC amounting to more than 19 million ringgit and more than 7 million ringgit to run training programs from 2016 to 2020.

Claims were made and approved even though no training was conducted.

Eight individuals from the agency and companies involved have been remanded by the MACC so far, according to Bernama.

Editing by Terence Lee and Eileen C. Ang

(And yes, we’re serious about ethics and transparency. More information here.)

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TIA Writer

Emmanuel Samarathisa

Kuala Lumpur-based journalist. Loves chasing scoops.