Sources said he was arrested at the MACC office here at 9.30pm. The arrest came after an entire day of investigation by the graft-busters.

When contacted, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki confirmed the arrest but declined to reveal further details.

FMT earlier reported that Hamid’s house at Taman Bersatu, Putatan, near here, had been searched by MACC officers this evening, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

Hamid, 52, went to the MACC office this morning after being called to give his statement. This followed a visit by investigators to his home while he was away the night before.

He is expected to be brought to court here tomorrow for MACC’s remand application hearing.

This brings to seven the number of people arrested in connection with the case. Last week, MACC said it aimed to talk to 32 people in the course of its investigation.

Six people are now under remand in connection with the case: Warisan vice-president Peter Anthony, Warisan Youth chief Azis Jamman, Tenom Umno Youth head Jamawi Jaafar, Tawau Umno Youth leader Ariffin Kassim, a local businessman and a former assistant secretary of the rural and regional development ministry.

It was earlier reported that 350 projects under the ministry are being scrutinised by the MACC over allegations of embezzlement involving RM1.5 billion in federal funds.

These projects were planned to be carried out between 2009 and 2015 in Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Kota Belud, Ranau, Beaufort, Keningau, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Sandakan.

The RM1.5 billion was said to be part of RM7.5 billion allocated for water, electricity and road infrastructure development projects.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied claims that the investigation is a political move against Warisan.