The MACC detained four individuals, including a chief executive with a "Datuk" title, for alleged misappropriation of government funds amounting to RM40 million.

The funds were meant to be channelled to a corporation involved in skills training programmes.

According to a MACC source, the "Datuk" aged 58, the corporation’s secretary aged 34, and finance assistant officer aged 32, and a company director aged 38 were detained at a number of locations in the federal capital in a special operation between 4.30 pm and 6 pm yesterday.

“Initial investigations revealed that in 2016, they misappropriated RM15 million, and RM25 million this year,” he told Bernama when contacted.

It is understood that the RM40 million allocated by the government this year and RM35 million last year were for training programmes for the unemployed.

Meanwhile, MACC deputy commissioner (Operations) Azam Baki, when contacted, confirmed the arrests and said MACC was in the process of getting the relevant documents.

He did not dismiss the possibility that more people would be detained to assist in the investigation.

“We will investigate thoroughly and identify witnesses who would be called to give their statements to facilitate investigations,” he added.

-- Bernama