KOTA KINABALU: An enforcement officer has been arrested on suspicion of soliciting and accepting RM120,000 in bribes to protect the smuggling of contraband cigarettes activities.
Sources said the suspect, in his 30s, was arrested during an operation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Keningau at about 4pm today.
Sources added that preliminary investigation showed the suspect began engaging in such activities only this month.
"The suspect is suspected of soliciting RM120,000 to protect smuggling activities involving cigarettes around Keningau.
"The suspect also allowed trucks and smuggled goods that had been detained by the department to be released," the sources said.
Meanwhile, Sabah MACC director Datuk S Karunanithy, when contacted, confirmed the arrest.
He also did not rule out the possibility of more arrests in connection with the case, which is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
"We will obtain a remand order against the suspect at the Sessions Court here tomorrow," he said.