An MACC source said the 50-year-old man was arrested at the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday. He has since been remanded for four days.

He is the third person detained by MACC in its probe on alleged corruption and abuse of power related to illegal rare earth mining in the state.

Earlier this week, MACC remanded the CEO of a state’s Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) and a woman director of a company. A company has allegedly been conducting mining activities illegally under the protection of “certain authorities” since 2020.

It is believed that the company had paid more than RM13 million in kickbacks to protect its illegal mining activities.

The MACC source said the CEO was released this morning while the woman has been remanded for two more days.

When contacted, MACC senior investigations director Hishamuddin Hashim confirmed the arrest of the company owner’s aide and the extension of the woman’s remand.