Traffic offenders wary about giving bribes
> Social media messages on alleged MACC crackdown making motorists think twice
KUALA LUMPUR: Several text and audio messages are circulating on social media alleging Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) officers are going undercover and accompanying traffic police personnel to nab errant motorists who offer bribes to police.
Although the authenticity of the messages could not be verified, they seem to have evoked second thoughts among errant motorists.
In one audio message, an unknown individual claimed he was informed by a police officer that MACC officers are going undercover as personnel from the police, Road Transport Department, Land Public Transport Commission and highway authorities.
He claimed the MACC officer would be present when summonses are issued to errant motorists, and would identify themselves if the driver offers a bribe.
The man warned offenders would be detained and charged with corruption.
He advised motorists to collect the summons and not to bribe any traffic policeman for the time-being due to the purported MACC operation.
Another man in a separate audio recording, believed to be a cab driver, issued a similar warning and claimed he was detained by MACC after being “framed” into giving a bribe.
He alleged he was driving in Johor after returning from Singapore and was stopped by SPAD officers for a traffic offence.
The man claimed he pleaded with one of the officers to let him off with a summons after the officer purportedly threatened to tow away his taxi.
He said the officer demanded a RM500 bribe, but eventually accepted S$200.
But as soon as he handed over the money, the MACC officer identified himself and arrested him.
The man alleged he was taken to the MACC office where he was quizzed before being freed on a RM3,000 bail 10 hours later.
He was then asked to appear in court a week later and fined RM10,000 for bribery. He said there were more than a dozen others in the same court for similar offences.
Both audio messages were in Tamil while the text messages were in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki said it is not uncommon for MACC to carry out such operations although he did not confirm the case mentioned.
He said he sees the messages positively as it shows the public is aware that the commission is constantly fighting corruption.
“These messages also indirectly send out a warning to the corrupt that MACC is everywhere and will not tolerate any corrupt practices,” he said.