KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested an illegal premises owner yesterday and seized nearly RM400,000 believed to have been collected to bribe enforcement officers.
A source said the money was believed to be meant for distribution among officers and members of a local authority as well as those from an enforcement agency.
A statement from the MACC said the illegal premises owner in his 60s is suspected of being a middleman who collected the bribes and would then give the money to these enforcement members.
He had been collecting the bribes from various illegal businesses such as massage parlors, entertainment centres, and other premises in the capital, said the MACC in a statement.
"The bribes would enable these illegal businesses to operate without action being taken by enforcement units.
"The arrest followed the detention of four people including a deputy director of a local authority on June 7.
"Following his arrest, the MACC recovered and seized almost RM400,000 which was believed to have been collected for distribution for enforcement officers and members," it said.
He was detained at 6.45pm yesterday (June 13).
Kuala Lumpur Magistrate Noorelynna Hanim Abdul Halim granted the MACC a four-day remand order on the man until June 17.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur MACC chief Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Hussin confirmed the arrest of the suspect and the case being investigated under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.