PUTRAJAYA: The MACC has uncovered a serious breach of security at the Perlis-Thailand border, believed to be due to corruption involving some border security personnel.
Its chief commissioner Latheefa Koya said the anti-graft agency had obtained security tapes showing such activity, as well as smuggling, from 2017 up to May this year.
This, she said, meant that the corruption had been going on for a long time.
“Because of corruption among some of the enforcement personnel, smuggling activities are rampant.
“Our forensics (team) has looked through the recordings to verify its authentication. We have handed it to the police and will work with the Inspector-General of Police for further action, ” she told a press conference on Friday (Oct 18).
Latheefa, however, declined to reveal from whom the MACC managed to obtain the security video recordings.
At the press conference, a 11-minute recording was shown to the media.
The footage shows some individuals carrying white-coloured sacks making a dash to the border walls, while their accomplices from the neighbouring country waited to receive the packages.
It is believed that the contents of the sacks are ketum leaves that can fetch a price of RM100 per kg if sold in Thailand compared to RM18 locally.
Other goods being smuggled are said to include cooking oil, sugar and petrol.
“Because of this breakthrough (findings), we now know how simple and easy it is to let these things happen at the border because of corruption, ” Latheefa said.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
