ALOR SETAR: A senior police officer from the Seberang Perai Tengah police district headquarters in Penang was arrested by the Kedah Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) for allegedly taking a RM15,000 bribe.
The 39-year-old man 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 (Atipsom) that he was investigating.
A source said the investigating officer, with the rank of Assistant Superintendent (ASP) had on July 31 made arrests on four people suspected of involving with an Atipsom case.
“They were released on police bail on Aug 2 before the police officer asked for bribe in order for the case to be settled.
“Kedah MACC acted on the complaint made at its office in Alor Setar and confiscated the bribe money,” he said.
He said the man was then brought to the MACC office for further investigation.
Meanwhile, Kedah MACC director, Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohamad when contacted confirmed the arrest of the police officer to facilitate investigation.
He said the man was today brought to the Alor Setar 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,” he said.