GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested 31 individuals, including 23 Road Transport Department (RTD) enforcement personnel, for their alleged involvement in corruption by protecting lorry drivers who committed various traffic offences, particularly driving overweight lorries, in various parts of the state.
Those detained included 28 men and three women, aged between 31 and 54.
They were detained at the state MACC headquarters here between 10am and 4pm today.
Eight of those detained, including three women, were members of the public who acted as proxies, 'tonto' and company owners.
Sources said the RTD enforcement personnel, based at the state RTD office here, were believed to have accepted monthly payments of between RM10,000 and RM32,000 as inducement not to take action against the lorry drivers.
They had also leaked information on operations carried out by the RTD. They were personnel between the Grades of 19 and 32.
"The money received is believed to be for entertainment purposes for senior RTD officers.
"Today's arrest is the beginning of more arrests to come as investigations into the matter are in progress," the source added.
The source said no less than 75 RTD enforcement personnel were involved in receiving bribes from the owners of the lorry companies.
Meanwhile, the source also said that the lorries, under protection, were given special stickers by the 'tonto' to provide them with the necessary immunity from enforcement actions.
When contacted, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests of the individuals, including the RTD enforcement personnel.
He said the joint operation between MACC Putrajaya and the state MACC followed months of surveillance following tip-offs received.
"There is a possibility that more people will be arrested to assist in investigations," he added.
Those detained will be produced at the George Town Magistrate's Court for remand orders.
The case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.