ILLEGAL PREMISES OWNER ARRESTED FOR BEING MIDDLEMAN COLLECTING MONEY FOR BRIBES

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested an illegal premises owner yesterday on the suspicion of being a middleman tasked with collecting money to be given as bribes to enforcement officials.

A source within the MACC said the suspect, in his 60s, was arrested at 6.45 pm and has been remanded for four days till June 17, adding that they believed that the suspect served as an intermediary and collected money from several illegal businesses such as massage parlours and entertainment outlets here.

"The money collected would be distributed among enforcement officials from the local authorities and other enforcement agencies.

"The bribes would enable these illegal businesses to operate without the fear of enforcement,” the source told Bernama today.

The MACC also found and seized RM400,000 in cash that is believed to have been collected for bribes following the arrest, they said.

"This arrest is a follow up from the arrest of four individuals, including a local authority’s deputy director, on June 7,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur MACC director, Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Husin confirmed the arrest when contacted, stating that the case was being investigated under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.

Bernama had reported on June 8 that three civil servants and a former civil servant were arrested on suspicions of receiving monthly bribes of up to RM500,000 from illegal businesses in the capital city.

-- BERNAMA