Four civil servants arrested over alleged RM5mil bribe from smuggling syndicate

PUTRAJAYA: Graft investigators have arrested four civil servants for allegedly accepting RM5mil in bribes from a syndicate smuggling cigarettes, tobacco and liquor into the country.

Investigators are also tracking down another public officer, who is believed to be part of the group allowing the goods to be brought in illegally.

It is learnt that the suspects, who are in their 40s and 50s, were arrested on Monday (March 11) at various locations in the Klang Valley.

A special operation was mounted by the Inland Revenue Board, Bank Negara and the anti-money laundering division of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Sources said that eight people, including the four suspects, were arrested on suspicion of working with the syndicate between 2018 and last year.

“The syndicate’s activities were believed to have caused leakages in tax revenue estimated at RM400mil.

“Investigators also believe that bribe money of more than RM8mil had been paid to several individuals, including the four civil servants, to enable the goods to be smuggled in,” said a source with knowledge of the investigation.

Investigators had seized several items, including handphones, personal computers, cash, a house and cars valued at almost RM6mil.

“MACC has also frozen 237 bank accounts involving RM12mil.

“The syndicate is believed to be using mule accounts to make payments to these civil servants,” said the same source.

The four suspects have been remanded for four days until March 5, after MACC’s application was allowed by Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrest.

He said the commission would apply for remand orders for several more suspects in the coming days.