KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sabah has detained a law enforcement officer from a specific department on allegations of accepting a bribe estimated at RM120,000 in return for facilitating smuggling operations involving cigarettes and for the release of confiscated smuggled items.
Sources indicate that the male suspect, who is thought to be in his thirties, was apprehended around 4 PM today during an operation carried out by MACC Sabah in Keningau Town.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect may have engaged in this illicit activity recently (August 2024).
The individual is accused of soliciting a bribe of approximately RM120,000 to protect cigarette smuggling operations in the Keningau region and to assist in the release of trucks and smuggled goods that had been seized by the department, according to the source.
Additionally, Datuk S. Karunanithy, the Director of MACC Sabah, confirmed the arrest when reached for comment, stating that the case is under investigation in accordance with Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
He said that the suspect is scheduled to appear before the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court in Sabah tomorrow to request a remand order, and he did not dismiss the possibility of further arrests in connection with this case.
