KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Ranhill Utilities Bhd will cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) throughout an investigation involving its employees, it said on Friday.
“We are alarmed and take serious note of the matter. We shall cooperate fully with MACC in its investigation if required,” Ranhill said in a bourse filing.
The utility company's statement follows news reports on the arrests of employees at its subsidiary Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd on April 29 and 30.
Ranhill SAJ is the exclusive provider of source-to-tap water in Johor which is responsible for raw water abstraction, treatment, distribution and sale.
Ranhill said it is conducting its own assessment to ascertain the situation, and will take necessary action to safeguard its integrity.
Further, it will revisit its corruption risk management policy and procedures on corporate governance to ensure compliance and enhancement where necessary.
“We maintain zero tolerance on fraud, bribery and corruption,” it added.
On Tuesday, Bernama reported that MACC has detained two top officials of a Johor water supply company to assist in investigations related to bribery.
The two men, aged 38 and 35, were later remanded for three days starting Wednesday to facilitate an ongoing graft investigation into bribery and false claims.
It was reported that an investigation was launched against the water supply company's CEO and a company owner in response to complaints lodged against them in 2023.
The complaints alleged the two of receiving bribes from two contractors, to assist their companies in securing service and supply contracts from the water supply company.
Both men also allegedly submitted documents containing false information regarding an application for donations amounting to RM3.3 million, for a programme that was not fully implemented.
Earlier on Friday, Ranhill declared a share dividend distribution on a basis of 0.5 share for every 100 shares held in the company.
The dividends ex-date is on May 20, with payout on June 13, it said in a separate filing.
Shares in Ranhill settled up six sen or 5.31% at RM1.19 on Friday, valuing the group at RM1.54 billion. The stock has risen 29.35% year to date and jumped 101.69% in the past one year.