PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations into syndicates allegedly approving heavy vehicle inspections will be expanded to include other inspection centres nationwide.
Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told the New Straits Times that its investigations into these allegations would not be limited to Wangsa Maju Puspakom.
"Based on our collaboration with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Puspakom, we will look into other inspection centres in the country as well. Our goal is to eliminate corruption at the inspection centres."
On the investigations into Wangsa Maju Puspakom, Azam said the corrupt activities could be described as the work of a cartel.
"Our investigations lead us to believe that the first suspect, who was handed over to us by the RTD, is the mastermind of the operations.
"We do not rule out the possibility that more arrests will be made to facilitate investigations."
Meanwhile, a source revealed that 13 more vehicle inspection officers, suspected of involvement in a syndicate approving heavy vehicle inspections, had been arrested.
The suspects, who are male and aged between 20 and 40, were detained on Tuesday and yesterday when they appeared to give evidence at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
"Investigations found that all the suspects received bribes ranging from RM150 to RM1,500 per month from runners in return for helping to pass vehicle inspections where they were on duty.
"The arrest of 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 MACC on an agent handed over by RTD."
To date, 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.
"The suspects will be released on MACC bail following investigations."
It was previously reported that eight people arrested by MACC on Tuesday were believed to be involved in the syndicate.
Sources had said the suspects, aged between their 30s and 50s, were arrested between noon and 11pm when they came to the MACC headquarters to have their statements recorded.
The six vehicle inspectors were released on MACC bail after their statements were recorded.
Meanwhile, two others were remanded for five days from Jan 11 to facilitate investigations.
It was 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 he had his statement recorded at the MACC headquarters.
A cooperation between MACC and RTD resulted in the arrest of people suspected of corruption.
On Dec 30, a surprise RTD inspection at Wangsa Maju Puspakom uncovered an unsafe vehicle that had passed inspection.
Officers also found several lorries with unsafe retread tyres awaiting inspection.
On Jan 2, Puspakom chief executive officer Mahmood Razak Bahman said four Puspakom employees from the Wangsa Maju branch had been summoned by RTD for questioning over allegations that a vehicle was approved despite not meeting standards.