The crime as stated in malaysiakini's Confessions of a collaborator is definitely corruption and, by the way, there is a difference between 'bribe' and 'commission'. JTB, you are missing the point. The crime is not in paying inflated prices but in the corrupt practice of government officials colluding with the private company to cheat taxpayers for personal gain.

Government officials act as trustees of public funds for the benefit of the public and not for personal gain. By the way, if in doubt as to what is a crime or not a crime, then test it in court.