PUTRAJAYA (The Star/Asia News Network) - An agriculture and agro-based industry ministry officer and a company director are the latest suspects to be detained over the misappropriation of funds of more than RM100 million (S$34 million).

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) director of investigations Datuk Azam Baki said the suspects, aged 41 and 31, were nabbed at the MACC headquarters after being summoned to have their statements recorded on Wednesday (March 23).

He told Bernama state news agency that prior to this, the 41-year-old officer had worked at the youth and sports ministry before he was transferred to the agriculture and agro-based ministry, a month ago.

He said the suspects were remanded for seven days for investigations.

In a related development, Azam said the remand of the main suspected mastermind and seven other people would be extended after their detention period ended on Thursday.

Meanwhile, he said a woman, one of the suspects in the case, would be released on bail.

On Friday, the MACC detained nine people, including a youth and sports ministry division secretary who allegedly received about RM20 million in bribes.

The 56-year-old senior officer, together with eight other individuals, including a woman, were detained by MACC on suspicion of masterminding a syndicate to misappropriate government funds worth RM107 million.