Five cops arrested for allegedly extorting motorist in Penang

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Five policemen have been arrested for allegedly extorting a motorist here.

In the incident, a 27-year-old factory worker was driving along Jalan Permatang Tinggi in Bukit Mertajam at around 10.15pm on Thursday (Feb 1) when he was ordered to stop by three policemen in two cars.

The policemen then conducted a search and claimed that they had found a packet of drugs.

The complainant denied that it was his but the policemen said otherwise and told him that the offence carries a heavy penalty.

Another police car and two more policemen arrived and allegedly demanded RM10,000 to turn a blind eye to the offence but ultimately agreed to a sum of RM4,500.

The complainant was then told to go to a bank to withdraw the cash as the policemen kept hold of his identity card, driving license and mobile phone.

He later handed over RM4,500 in cash to one of the policemen near a church at Permatang Tinggi before lodging a police report.

When contacted, Penang police chief Comm Datuk Khaw Kok Chin said five policemen aged between 24 and 48 from the Seberang Prai Tengah police headquarters had been arrested.

"Such conduct will not be tolerated. The five have been remanded for four days to assist with further investigations," he said.