“A telecommunications company senior executive received a rude shock when he was handed a box of chocolates filled with cash, believed to be “tens of thousands of ringgit” by an international supplier.
He tried returning the “gift” to the supplier’s country manager but was turned down. The senior executive then informed his bosses and lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
MACC confirmed it received the report and was investigating ZTE Malaysia Sdn Bhd and the country manager, a Chinese national, who had since left the country. The company is a subsidiary of ZTE Ltd that is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Sources said the two men had dinner at an upmarket restaurant in Kuala Lumpur and at the end of the meal, the ZTE country manager passed a gift to the senior executive, telling him it was a box of chocolates.
When the senior executive returned home and opened the wrapped gift, he was shocked to find money. The exact amount is unknown but insiders revealed it was believed to be tens of thousands of ringgit.”
Sources said the two men had discussed new contract terms for a project and the country manager tried to persuade the senior executive to accept his company’s terms.