After Bukit Aman said they would investigate several officers and policemen reported to be protecting illegal gambling premises around Sungai Buloh, four Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) enforcement officers were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday (11 August).
According to Bernama, the men were suspected of accepting bribes of RM300 to RM3,500 a month to protect business premises conducting unlicensed business activities in the area. Aged between 39 and 49, the suspects were detained at the Putrajaya MACC headquarters after they were called to testify.
Three of the suspects were said to be enforcement officers from MBSA Sungai Buloh Branch while the other one was from MBSA Shah Alam.
“The MACC also detained Acehnese traders of contraband cigarettes as mentioned in the video as they do not have any travel documents. They will be handed over to the Immigration Department for further action,” a source said.
“The trader has been operating since 2019 and he is said to pay a bribe of RM300 a month to the enforcement, to avoid any action.”
One of the four suspects was reported to divide the collection of money between his three other friends, according to another report by Bernama.
Empat penguatkuasa MBSA dan seorang peniaga rokok seludup direman tujuh hari kerana disyaki menerima dan mengutip suapan bagi melindungi perniagaan haram di Sungai Buloh.Perintah tahanan reman bermula hari ini sehingga 18 Ogos dikeluarkan oleh Majistret Shah Wira Abdul Halim, di Mahkamah Majistret Putrajaya.Turut direman seorang peniaga rokok seludup berbangsa Aceh yang beroperasi sejak tahun lalu disyaki membayar wang rasuah sebanyak RM300 sebulan kepada penguatkuasa bagi mengelak sebarang tindakan.▶️Bernama
Posted by Info Roadblock JPJ/POLIS on Selasa, 11 Ogos 2020
The source added that the suspects were found to be protecting business premises including a restaurant running without a license, premises selling cigarettes, stalls that do business in unauthorised places and gambling premises.
The source also revealed that there are authorities acting as traitors by leaking information regarding operations that are being carried out.
“This causes every operation being carried out to fail and are known in advance by these illegal traders,” he said.
Meanwhile, the arrests were confirmed by MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya when contacted by Bernama.
“The MACC believes that the collection of bribes is done in stages among the enforcement personnel.”
“I urge any party who has more information regarding corrupt activities among the enforcement, to come forward and cooperate,” he said, adding that the identities of the informant would be fully protected.
“Investigations are being conducted under Section 17 (a) of the MACC Act 2009, while all suspects will be brought before the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court tomorrow morning, for a remand application under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” he said.
Also read: Bukit Aman Receives Reports Claiming Police Are Protecting Gambling Premises in Sungai Buloh
