KOTA KINABALU: Two more enforcement officers have been arrested for allegedly receiving approximately RM120,000 in bribes to protect smuggling activities and release smuggled goods.
The suspects were detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), following the earlier arrest of another enforcement officer in connection with the same case.
A five-day remand order until Aug 16 was issued by magistrate Aslianlydia Asneh for the three male suspects, after MACC's application at the Kota Kinabalu magistrate's court this morning.
According to sources, all suspects were arrested between 4 pm and 11pm last night during an operation conducted by MACC Sabah in Pekan Keningau.
"The recent arrests involving the two additional enforcement officers follow the previous arrest of another officer in connection with the same case, who is suspected of soliciting around RM120,000 in bribes to protect smuggling activities around Keningau and the release of detained trucks and smuggled goods," said a source.
Initial investigations indicate that the suspects remanded today are believed to have committed these acts this month.
MACC Sabah director Datuk S Karunanithy confirmed the arrests.
He added that the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.