Duo remanded over solar project for Sarawak schools

A 59-year-old company director and a 30-year-old lawyer have been remanded today over the solar hybrid project for rural schools in Sarawak.

The duo was arrested by the MACC at its headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday after their statements were recorded, and brought to the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court this morning.

An MACC spokesperson told reporters that magistrate Shah Wira Abdul Halim has granted a six-day remand up to July 2.

He said they were being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009. The provision criminalises the use of false receipts, accounts, or other documents with the intention to mislead.

The conviction under the provision is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, and a fine up to five times the value of the false claim or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

The RM1.25 billion project was meant to supply electricity to 369 rural schools in Sarawak by supplying diesel, setting up solar hybrid systems, and maintaining generators.

The company Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd was awarded the contract for the project in January last year.

Malaysiakini had reported that the then Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had supposedly instructed for the project’s contract to be awarded to a politically-linked company, hence bypassing the Education Ministry’s procurement process. 

Payment was allegedly made although no work was done.

The online portal also reported that the company had altered certain clauses in the contract during the bookbinding process without the ministry’s consent, and forged headmaster’s signatures in its claims forms.

In response to the allegations, Jepak had conceded that it was awarded the contract through direct negotiation, but denied any wrongdoing. 

Among others, the firms managing director Saidi Abang Shamsuddin said the actual cost of the project was only RM750 million, and it has yet to receive any payment in relation to the ongoing project.  - Mkini