GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) detained 12 high-ranking officers from the Penang public order and traffic department, on suspicion of corruption, this morning.
Sources said the 12, with the ranks of Superintendent, Assistant Superindent and Inspector, were picked up at their workplaces, including the state police contingent headquarters here and the district police headquarters on the mainland.
It is believed that the officers from the public order and traffic department have accepted payments from transportation companies as an inducement not to take action against their drivers for various offences.
"Based on investigation, the total amount of bribe received so far is close to RM500,000.
"The anti-graft agency has been carrying our surveillance against the officers since receiving a tip off in May last year," a source told the New Straits Times today.
Each of them were alleged to have received between RM10,000 and RM25,000 monthly.
The matter is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
The anti-graft body is expected to apply for remand order against the 12 officers tomorrow.
"The MACC feels that there is a need to remand these officers for further investigations. We will apply in court tomorrow," the source said.
The source also said that today's arrest was the beginning of more arrests in the coming days.
"This is exactly like the case of the Penang Road Transport Department enforcement officers who were busted by the MACC last April for corrupt practice by allegedly giving protection to lorry drivers who committed various traffic offences in the state.
"The nature of MACC's investigation against the men-in-blue is exactly the same with that of the state RTD's lorry protection racket last year," the source further added.
To date, more than 50 low-ranking state RTD enforcement and former Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) officials have been charged in connection with the scandal that rocked the state RTD.
When contacted, newly-appointed MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests.
"The case is pending investigations," he added.