KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested 13 more officers suspected of being involved in a syndicate approving improper heavy vehicle inspections at a centre here.
According to sources, all the men aged between 20 and 40 were detained between 1pm yesterday and 3pm today when they appeared to give evidence at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
"Preliminary investigations found that all the suspects are believed to have received bribes ranging from RM150 to RM1,500 per month in cash from runners in return for helping to pass vehicle inspections where they were on duty.
"The arrest of all the suspects is a follow-up to the arrest of six vehicle inspection officers last Monday and also the result of an interrogation conducted by the MACC on an agent handed over by the Road Transport Department (RTD) previously," the source said.
Until today MACC has arrested 22 suspects including 19 vehicle inspection officers, one agent and two runners.
Meanwhile, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya when contacted confirmed the arrests adding that investigations were ongoing under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009.
"The suspects will be released on MACC bail followinG investigations," he said.
It was previously reported that eight, arrested by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) on Tuesday , were believed to be involved in the syndicate which was approving heavy vehicle inspections at a vehicle inspection centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Sources had revealed the suspects, aged in their 30s and 50s, were arrested between 12pm and 11pm when they came to the MACC Headquarters here to have their statements recorded.
The six vehicle inspectors involved have since been released on MACC bail after their statements were recorded.
Meanwhile, two other individuals were remanded for five days from Jan 11 to facilitate further investigations.
It was also reported that a man was arrested on Jan 3 on suspicion of involvement in corruption during heavy vehicle inspections at Puspakom.
The suspect was detained after being handed over by the Road Transport Department (RTD) after recording his statement at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
A strategic cooperation between MACC and RTD resulted in the arrest of the individual suspected of corruption.
On Dec 30, 2024, a surprise RTD inspection at the Wangsa Maju Puspakom centre uncovered an unsafe vehicle that had passed inspection.
Officers also found several lorries with unsafe retread tyres awaiting inspection.