KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained a man suspected of soliciting and accepting bribe from a VIP, allegedly to close his case from being investigated.
Sources said the 54-year-old man was nabbed at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur with about RM20,000 cash at 9.30pm last night.
He is expected to be taken to the Putrajaya court to be remanded today to assist in the investigation under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.
It is understood that the suspect, who works at a media agency, had asked the VIP for RM70,000, citing that he knew someone in commission and able to help settle the matter.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki when contacted confirmed the arrest and said MACC was taking the matter seriously.
He said the anti-graft body would not compromise with any action that could tarnish the its reputation.
"This is not the first time that such incident had happened.
“MACC had previously taken action against several people for using MACC's name to solicit bribes and this is an act that can smear our reputation,” he said.
MACC advised the public, especially those who were being investigated for corruption to be careful when approached by such people.