Four Lahad Datu cops remanded for alleged bribe-taking

KOTA KINABALU: Four police officers, including a police inspector from the Lahad Datu police contingent ( IPD Lahad Datu) have been detained by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) on suspicion of having received bribes from an illegal moneylender ( Ah Long) amounting to RM20,000 on Monday.

MACC Sabah director Datuk Sazali Salbi said the suspects, an inspector, a sergeant, a corporal and a lance corporal, aged between 29 and 34 years old, were detained by MACC personnel during an operation on Aug 21 after they allegedly received the bribe from the complainant.

“The complainant had lodged a report with the MACC claiming that the suspects had asked for RM20,000 as inducement so no police action will be taken against him following a police raid in Lahad Datu on Aug 16. The bribe asked for was also allegedly a ‘ monthly protection fee’ for the complainant,” Sazali said yesterday.

According to Sazali, the complainant had given RM18,000 to the suspects on the same day and promised to pass on the balance at a later date.

“Acting on the report, MACC personnel immediately set up an ambush and arrested the inspector as the complainant was handing over the RM2,000 to him on Aug 21,” he said.

Following the arrest of the inspector, three other police personnel were also detained by MACC for investigation pertaining to the case.

All suspects will be remanded for seven days from yesterday ( Aug 23) to facilitate investigation under Section 17 ( a) of the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC) Act 2009.

Meanwhile, eight assistant medical officers will be charged in Kota Kinabalu Court today (Aug 24) for allegedly filing false overtime claims between January 2016 and May 2016 amounting to RM126,757.24.