A source from MACC said several company directors from the two firms would be called in to assist in investigations.

“The key suspect – the project manager – admitted to demanding 3% of each project’s value from companies seeking contracts with the construction firm,” Utusan Malaysia reported the source as saying.

The suspect is believed to have leaked tender prices and ensured companies that paid him bribes were awarded the contracts.

“The bribes were paid in stages, based on the progress of the project payments.

“It is understood that several million ringgit has yet to be paid to the suspect, as part of the agreement between him and the companies,” the source added.

Yesterday, it was reported that the suspect, who was arrested by MACC over alleged corruption involving tenders for a RM180 million data centre project, had purportedly tried to burn nearly RM1 million in cash to destroy evidence.

Sources said the suspect had attempted to destroy the cash out of panic following the raid carried out by MACC at his house on Thursday.

A team of MACC officers discovered bundles of RM100 banknotes, amounting to nearly RM1 million, in the process of being burned in a bathroom.

It was reported on Friday that MACC arrested the suspect, along with his wife and two company directors, over suspected corruption involving procurement tenders for the construction of the data centre in Johor.

About RM7.5 million in cash, stored in pillow cases, three luxury watches – a Rolex, an Omega and a Cartier – as well as various pieces of jewellery, including rings and gold coins, were seized during the raid.

The money is believed to be from bribes paid to the manager in exchange for securing six project tenders.

The project manager is on remand until July 24, his wife until July 21 and the two company directors until July 22.