JOHOR BARU, Feb 20 — The Johor branch of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today detained two senior officers of the Johor State Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) suspected of being involved in corruption and abuse of power for personal gain.

One of them is the principal assistant director, while the other, an assistant officer, of the JAINJ Syariah Law Division.

The two men, aged 55 and 40, were detained at 4.30 pm when they arrive at the Johor MACC office to give statements on their cases.

According to a source, the duo were alleged to have abused their positions by approving permits to organise Islamic pre-marriage courses without going through proper procedures.

Both were believed to have approved the permits for the courses through an unregistered Welfare and Sports Body set up by the division.

The body, chaired by the principal assistant director, was also believed to have organised pre-marriage courses since 2015 to date.

According to the source, payment for the courses amounting to RM130,000 had been deposited into the account of the welfare body, which were later used by its members for umrah, oversea trips and other personal activities.

Johor MACC director Datuk Azmi Alias confirmed the arrests and said the case was being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009. — Bernama