PUTRAJAYA: Four enforcement staff from the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and an individual believed to be an illicit cigarette seller, have been remanded for a week until Aug 18.
Magistrate Wira Abdul Halim allowed for the remand request from Putrajaya Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) about 9.20am today, reported Berita Harian.
The five were being remanded to assist investigations under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
The suspects, aged between 41 to 45, were seen arriving at the Putrajaya magistrate's court at about 8.40am today. They were handcuffed and wore MACC lock-up attire.
Yesterday, MACC arrested four MBSA enforcement officers for suspected involvement in protecting unlicenced business premises in Sungai Buloh.
The officers were also suspected of collecting and receiving between RM300 to RM3,500 of monthly protection money from unlicenced traders and businesses, including illegal gambling premises around the district.
Those detained comprised three enforcers from the Sungai Buloh MBSA branch and another from the Shah Alam MBSA.
A cigarette trader of Acehnese descent who did not have any documents, had also been arrested.
A source said that the value of the inducement money had been paid to enforcement personnel who monitored the area, and the value depended on a premise size and type of business.
Among premises which paid these bribes were eateries without licence, premises which sold cigarettes, stalls operating at illegal spots and gambling premises.
Yesterday, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrest of the MBSA officers. Khusairi also did not discount the possibility that a form of syndicated bribery was occurring among enforcement personnel.
The arrests followed a claim made by Hot Burger Malaysia founder, Mohd Asri Hamid, 42, through a viral video about the existence of illegal gambling premises and sundry shops selling illicit cigarettes in Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh.