The arrest was carried by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) at about 3.30pm.
New Straits Times reported Sabah MACC director Karunanithy Subbiah as confirming the arrest, saying that it was to facilitate investigations into the case.
According to Karunanithy, the senior civil servant was detained for 24 hours to obtain his statement and was then released on MACC bail amounting to RM10,000, with a local surety.