Senior cop held over bribery in human trafficking case

ALOR STAR: A senior police officer from the Seberang Perai Tengah district headquarters in Penang was arrested by the Kedah Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly taking a RM15,000 bribe.

The 39-year-oldman was nabbed near a restaurant in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam, at 4.30pm following a complaint against him on a case related to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants that he was investigating.

A source said the investigating officer, an assistant superintendent, had arrested four suspects on July 31.

“They were released on bail on Aug 2 before the officer asked for a bribe in order for the case to be settled.

“Kedah MACC acted on the complaint made at its office in Alor Star and confiscated the bribe money,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kedah MACC director Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohamad yesterday confirmed the arrest of the police officer.

He said the man was on Wednesday brought to the Alor Star court by MACC officials who obtained a four-day remand order.

“The case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of MACC Act 2009 for giving or accepting gratification, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of five times the bribe amount upon conviction.”

The case investigated under Section 17(a) of MACC Act 2009 which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of five times the bribe amount upon conviction.

DATUK MOHD FAUZI MOHAMAD

Kedah MACC director