KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) ongoing crackdown on 'Ali Baba' type businesses continued yesterday, with the arrests of local council enforcement personnel who had allegedly collected bribes to turn a blind eye to businesses operated by foreigners.
In an operation similar to a protection racket, these personnel were said to have been collecting nearly RM12,000 a month from the illegally run businesses.
These 'Ali Baba' type businesses were paying between RM200 and RM1,000, respectively, every month for immunity from enforcement action.
The money paid also ensured that these businesses received tip-offs on enforcement operations and allowed them to steer clear of any action that would adversely affect them.
Surveillance and intelligence-gathering by the MACC culminated with the arrest of eight personnel yesterday.
They were detained following a series of raids during its Op Orange operations.
This Op is a follow-up from Op Star, where a crackdown on "Ali Baba" type businesses operated by foreigners saw MACC arresting eight people in an operation jointly conducted with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) last week.
Sources said the suspects were in their 30's and 40's.
"A series of raids were launched in Kuala Lumpur between 8.30am and 11am, which led to their arrests.
"Six months of intelligence-gathering revealed that these enforcement personnel were providing protection to these 'Ali Baba' type businesses for between RM200 and 1,000 monthly," the source said, adding that the men had allegedly received nearly RM12,000 monthly from these businesses.
The source added that around RM40,000 in cash was also seized following the raids and arrests.
During one of the raids, MACC officers were led to an office in Selayang by two of the suspects.
They inspected the suspects' lockers, clothing, boots, log books and drawers while questioning them.
The suspects remained calm throughout the questioning.
Both men wore face masks; one was dressed in jeans and a local council T-shirt, while the other wore dark-coloured trousers and a red collared T-shirt.
All the suspects were brought to the Kuala Lumpur MACC headquarters for further action.
They were seen later in the afternoon being brought out of the building via an MACC van.
Kuala Lumpur MACC director Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Husin, when contacted, confirmed the arrests.
"The case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
"These suspects will be brought to the Kuala Lumpur Magistrates Court on Tuesday for remand application," he said.
Last week, MACC arrested eight people in an operation jointly conducted with DBKL.
Six men and two women were arrested for paying enforcement personnel to turn a blind eye to their illegal operations using Ali Baba licences.