Those detained were aged between 34 to 55 years old. They were nabbed when they arrived at the Sarawak MACC office to have their statements recorded.

Sources believed that the suspects, who included two senior assistant directors, conspired with 43 different companies in the state to submit false documents for the claims.

“Each claim was between RM2,000 and RM6,000,” they said.

It was alleged that all the payments were paid into the accounts of several company directors in 2016 and the five individuals obtained their cuts from the companies.

“MACC investigations found 70% of the services and supplies from the companies to BTN were non-existent or were not done in that period,” sources said.

They said the five individuals who had control over BTN’s account had allegedly used the money for their personal benefit.

State MACC chief Razim Mohd Noor confirmed the arrests.

He said investigators were in the midst of obtaining related documents linked to the case.

The five individuals will be remanded at the Kuching Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.