KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has obtained remand orders against seven local council enforcement officers who allegedly took bribes to turn a blind eye to businesses operated by foreigners.
Magistrate Amira Abd Aziz ordered that five of the enforcement officers be remanded for five days and the remaining two for seven days, starting today, to assist in investigations under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
Earlier, the suspects, clad in orange MACC lockup attire, arrived at the Jalan Duta court complex at 9.55 am.
It was reported yesterday that the MACC's ongoing crackdown on "Ali Baba" type businesses had continued with the arrests of local council enforcement personnel.
In an operation similar to a protection racket, these personnel allegedly collected nearly RM12,000 a month from the illegally run "Ali Baba" businesses.
The business operators allegedly paid them between RM200 and RM1,000 each month for immunity from enforcement action.
The bribes were to ensure that the business operators received tip-offs on impending enforcement operations.
The operation was a follow-up to Op Star, where a crackdown on "Ali Baba" type businesses operated by foreigners led to the MACC arresting eight people in a joint crackdown with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) last week.