KUALA LUMPUR: A six-month investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has led to the discovery of enforcement agents taking bribes to allow unlicensed stalls and traders to operate in the city.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya (pic), in a statement yesterday, said investigations revealed that enforcement agents had been protecting “illegal activities in large cities” and small-scale businesses, including “shops that are being monopolised by foreigners”.
“The MACC has found that local licence holders have been renting their spaces and licences to foreigners. Enforcement agents are then given bribes every month to protect these premises and to not take action on these shops that operate with ‘Ali Baba licences’,” he said.
He added that operations would be conducted in Kuala Lumpur to bring the matter to light.
“These operations will be used as proof that there are enforcement agents who have been protecting the activities of these illegal traders,” he said, adding that the MACC hoped local governments would take stern action to curb such activities.
“The MACC expects to arrest dozens of people, including foreigners, licence holders and enforcement agents who are involved,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Kota Kinabalu, Bernama reported that a Keningau District Land and Survey Department administrative assistant was fined RM14,000 by the Sessions Court for using falsified documents to obtain land compensation payments for a project in Keningau 10 years ago.
Judge Jason Juga imposed the sentence on Justine Ongkomog @ Amran Mohd Osman, 54, who pleaded guilty to the five alternative charges read to him.
The MACC had earlier dropped the five original charges against him.
The court imposed a fine of RM7,000 each for the fourth and fifth alternative charges, while the first, second and third alternative charges were taken into consideration by the court in determining the sentence.
Justine was accused of submitting falsified forms at the Keningau Office of the Land Revenue Collector on June 2, 2014, to fraudulently obtain compensation payments for land linked to the Sook-Tulid Sinua Road Upgrade Project Phase 2 in Keningau.He was charged under Section 471 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum imprisonment of two years, a fine or both, upon conviction.
Justine settled the fine.
