GEORGE TOWN: Thirty-three people, including three senior doctors and a woman, were remanded over their alleged links to a cartel accused of falsifying Social Security Organisation (Socso) disability claims.
Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi ordered the doctors to be remanded for two days, while the woman is to be held for one day, starting today.
The remaining suspects have been remanded for three days.
They are being investigated under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
Earlier, the suspects, clad in orange MACC attire, arrived at the magistrate's court here at 8.59am in five MACC vehicles.
The group included the three doctors, 19 Socso contributors, eight agents, and three runners, all aged between 26 and 60. They were detained at the state MACC headquarters after giving their statements.
Yesterday, the New Straits Times reported that three senior doctors in the state were among 32 people arrested in a major swoop by the MACC over Socso disability fraud.
Confirming the arrests, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said more arrests are expected as investigations into the case continue.
In July, Senator Dr Lingeshwaran R. Arunasalam urged the Human Resources Ministry to address allegations that doctors involved in Socso disability claims were linked to a cartel falsifying these claims.
Lingeshwaran told the Dewan Negara that the panel was suspended until further notice after Socso uncovered the syndicate at a hospital in Penang.
The senator also stated that he was informed that the cartel was lobbying for the suspended panel to be reinstated at the same hospital.
He further revealed that between 2018 and 2022, there were 683 fraudulent withdrawals of approximately RM43 million.
He added that 16 of those cases involved a particular doctor whose services were terminated after the discovery.