MACC NABS 4 ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, 1 RETIREE IN MASSAGE CENTRES GRAFT

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained four enforcement officers and one retired officer for alleged involvement in a corruption case connected to a major national chain of massage centres.

According to a source, the five male suspects, aged between 30 and 60, were held at the MACC Headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday between 5.00 pm and 7.00 pm while giving their statements.

The source disclosed that they are suspected of accepting bribes from the massage centre operator to facilitate its operations and expedite foreign worker permits for the company.

"To date, the MACC has also recorded statements from 16 witnesses to assist the investigation," the source told Bernama.

This morning, Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah granted the MACC's application at the Putrajaya Magistrates' Court, remanding four suspects until Feb 2. The fifth suspect was released on MACC bail.

The source disclosed that the Commission has also raided six locations across the Klang Valley, targeting the offices and homes of identified suspects believed to be connected to the alleged corruption.

The source also confirmed that the MACC has frozen 124 bank accounts, worth approximately RM13.3 million, belonging to individual and corporate suspects in the case.

"The massage chain is alleged to have operated a double-bookkeeping system, where 80 per cent of its cash sales went unreported. This resulted in an estimated tax loss of RM7.56 million annually. 

"It is suspected that about RM2.7 million in bribes per year were paid to officers from several enforcement agencies, including local authorities, as protection money," the source added.

Meanwhile, MACC's senior director of Special Operations, Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, confirmed the arrests when contacted. He said the case is being investigated under Sections 16 and 17 of the MACC Act 2009.

"The probe is also examining and identifying elements of other criminal offences, particularly those related to money laundering activities," he said.

— BERNAMA