ALMOST 30 RTD OFFICERS EXPECTED TO BE CHARGED

MACC says more will be prosecuted in the next few months

ALMOST 30 Penang Road Transport Department (RTD) officers are expected to be charged this month in connection with a lorry protection racket, which saw numerous state enforcement officers arrested.

However, even more are expected to be brought to court in the coming months in the case, which saw the state RTD office almost crippled.

A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission source told the New

Straits Times the investigation papers were being finalised before they would be handed over to the deputy public prosecutor’s office.

“This (30 people) is the first batch. We expect to charge this group this month. We will charge more over the next few months.”

The source said all those involved would be charged with corruption under the MACC Act 2009.

If convicted, offenders could be jailed for a maximum of 20 years and fined five times the value of the gratification.

Some 75 enforcement officers, with rankings between Grade 19 and 32, were believed to have received monthly payments of between RM10,000 and RM32,000 as inducement for not taking action against errant lorry drivers and for leaking information about RTD operations.

The lorries concerned were supplied with stickers prepared by tontos (thugs), allowing them to be exempted from enforcement action.

In a blitz from April 9 to 22, 60 Penang RTD enforcement officers were arrested.

Out of 457 RTD staff in Penang, 139 are enforcement officers. There are about 8,000 RTD personnel nationwide.

All those involved would be charged with corruption.