PUTRAJAYA — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today confirmed it had taken statements from three people, including Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, regarding allegations of corruption.
The investigation stems from an incident involving a Chinese national who reported experiencing corruption upon her arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) by immigration officers.
A source within the MACC revealed that the commission is treating the corruption allegations with utmost seriousness, expressing the graftbusters' commitment to thoroughly investigate the matter, and indicated that several immigration officers were expected to be summoned for questioning in the near future.
"MACC has also identified an individual who is suspected of being a middleman in "solving" in this case. This individual is believed to be a foreign tourist responsible for making accusations that the Chinese woman did not meet the immigration department's requirements prior to the commotion," he said.
He added that MACC is in the midst of tracking down the 'agent' who allegedly asked for the RM18,000 bribe, as well.
He said a thorough investigation is underway to confirm these claims.
Apart from Tiong, two others whose statements were recorded were from the Chinese witnesses who were at the scene during the commotion at Terminal 1 on June 30.
Meanwhile, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki when contacted, confirmed the case is being investigated under section 16 (a) of the MACC Act 2009.
Azam also urged all parties not to make any speculations and give MACC time to complete their investigation.