According to sources, the suspect in Johor, a chief clerk, 41, who works in a government department, was arrested at the Johor MACC office at 7.45pm when he showed up to provide his statement.

The source said the suspect was believed to have received a bribe of RM5,000 from a company owner as a kickback in helping his company in claims for the incentive programme.

The two other suspects, aged 40 and 26, were arrested at the Penang MACC office at 6.50pm and 7.25pm respectively.

“They are believed to have provided claims with false details online to seek the payment of incentives from the Social Services Organisation (Socso),” the source said.

The chief clerk has been remanded for three days while the other two suspects have been remanded for six days from today.

MACC senior director Hishamuddin Hashim confirmed the arrests and did not deny the possibility of several other arrests in the near future.

MACC had previously remanded 37 people to facilitate investigations into false claims and misappropriation of funds under Ops Hire.