Menteri Besar Johor Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin believed the detention of six men for alleged corruption by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) two days ago was based on information and reports received by the agency.

"MACC does not detain people for no reason," he said when met by reporters after launching the School Bus Fare Subsidy programme at Dewan Taman Cendana, Pasir Gudang, here today.

Six men, including the son and a special officer to a state government official, was detained last Feb 24 for alleged involvement in a corruption scandal involving real estate in Johor.

The others are a lawyer, a civilian and two developers.

Asked whether the state government would conduct an internal inquiry on the matter, he said MACC was investigating it.

"We wait for the investigation by MACC. It is premature for me to say anything," he added.

MACC, in a statement yesterday, said the suspects were believed to have been involved in lowering the premium of land which had been approved for housing and industrial projects, as well as in converting the status of various premises in Johor.

Twenty-one luxury cars, five high-powered motorcycles, about RM500,000 in cash, including foreign currencies, and documents had been seized by MACC to facilitate investigations.

MACC has also frozen a total of 45 bank accounts, involving deposit of about RM15.5 million, belonging to the suspects.

--BERNAMA