‘COPS MAY HAVE TAKEN BRIBES BEFORE’

Escaped drug suspect case not their first brush with corruption, says source

BALVIN KAUR

GEORGE TOWN balvinkaur@nst.com.my

THE eight policemen, who allegedly took bribes from a drug suspect who escaped custody, are believed to have extorted money from criminals in the past in exchange for favours.

A source said police were investigating how much and how many detainees they had taken bribes from.

“This is not their first brush with graft. We believe that they had merely intended to take the detainee to meet his family and a friend, but not to let him escape.

“In that sense, this was probably the first time they had been outwitted by a detainee,” the source told the New Straits Times.

It was reported that Anuar Ayat, 43, had bribed the officers, who were escorting him to Balik Pulau Hospital for a check-up, to take him to visit his family and a friend in Sungai Ara.

The policemen had claimed that their van had broken down near a traffic light in Relau, and Anuar had allegedly jumped off the van and escaped in handcuffs.

However, investigations revealed that the report was false. Anuar was not handcuffed and was taken not only to Sungai Ara, but also to Sungai Nibong Besar.

The policemen had been detained. A 56-year-old fisherman was also detained in connection with the case.

State police chief Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye said Anuar had gone to the fisherman’s house in Sungai Nibong Besar, where he escaped.

“The fisherman denies meeting Anuar. The only person who can confirm if they had met is Anuar himself, since the policemen who were escorting Anuar did not follow him inside.

“But, we are confident we have all the right people in the case.”

Anuar was arrested in Kedah in 2015 for drug trafficking, and was charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

He was detained in the Bayan Baru lockup for case mention.

Such a case was nothing new, said the source.

“Some officers would first gauge how desperate a detainee is before making an offer.

“Some would even hide evidence to demand a higher fee. For taking them out, like in this case, the bribe could be in the thousands,” the source said.

On claims that the eight had taken bribes from other detainees, Chuah said he did not want to commit himself.

“All I can say is that in this case, it is clear that they took money from the detainee.”

Asked if the eight would be released today following the expiry of their remand order, he said: “We are wrapping up the investigations over the next few days. Then, we will decide if there is a need for a remand extension or a charge.”

On the suspension of the eight, Chuah said they were waiting for instructions from Bukit Aman.