MACC remands six policemen, including a retired officer, for allegedly taking RM117,000 in bribes to protect illegal entertainment and gambling outlets.
GEORGE TOWN: Six more policemen, including a retired officer, have been remanded on suspicion of soliciting and accepting about RM117,000 in bribes.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) alleges the bribes were to turn a blind eye to illegal entertainment outlets, massage parlours and gambling operations run by two company owners.
Magistrate Syahirah Abdul Salim granted the MACC’s application for a five-day remand until Jan 18 at the Magistrate’s Court here.
A source said all male suspects, aged between 40 and 60, were arrested yesterday while giving statements at the Penang MACC office.
“They are believed to have been receiving monthly bribes of between RM500 and RM2,000 from 2016 to 2021,” the source said.
One suspect is believed to have received funds via online transfer to a third-party account.
The other five allegedly received payments directly into their personal accounts from the company owners.
Penang MACC director Datuk S. Karunanithy confirmed the arrests, adding the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
Yesterday, a separate 50-year-old police officer was remanded on suspicion of accepting RM27,000 in bribes related to the same case.
