An MACC source said the 60-year-old retiree was suspected to be the go-between who solicited bribes from contractors in exchange for approvals for projects managed by the local council from 2020 to this year.

The suspect was arrested at about 9pm yesterday at the Johor MACC headquarters, said the source.

The case is being probed under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act, which carries a minimum fine of RM10,000 and a maximum jail sentence of 20 years.

Johor MACC director Azmi Alias, who confirmed the arrest, said they will be applying for a remand order against the suspect at the Johor Bahru magistrates’ court this morning.

On Wednesday, a former mayor of the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) was remanded for three days to assist in the MACC investigation.

Johor MACC arrested the suspect, who is the current mayor of another local council, at its office at 3pm on Tuesday.

FMT had quoted an informed source as saying the suspect was arrested for allegedly accepting bribes from a contractor to approve projects managed by MBIP when he was the mayor there.