End of the road: The two suspects sitting beside their car after they were stopped following a 20-minute high-speed chase.
JOHOR BARU: Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage will be reviewed in a police investigation into the allegation that a traffic police officer had taken bribes at the Causeway here.
Referring to a photo that had gone viral, Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat said preliminary investigations indicated that the incident had taken place during a traffic operation near the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (BSI CIQ) on Thursday evening.
“Four officers were carrying out traffic enforcement about 500m from the BSI CIQ where the alleged incident took place.
“All of the officers on duty have denied soliciting or accepting money. We are investigating the matter,” he said in a statement in response to a photo posted on the “Singaporean’s Guide to JB” Facebook page, which had accused the authorities of taking bribes.
However, it subsequently removed the photo.
ACP Raub said police are taking the matter seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation, including reviewing CCTV footage.
The police, he said, would not tolerate such misconduct.
“Efforts are under way to identify any witnesses or the individuals who captured the image,” he said.
In an unrelated incident, ACP Raub said police arrested two men who were under the influence of drugs after a 20-minute high-speed chase.
It began during a crime prevention operation in Jalan Harmonium, Taman Desa Tebrau at 8.35pm on Saturday, he said.
“The police detected a suspicious-looking red car. When they asked the driver to stop for inspection, he sped off, driving recklessly and in a dangerous manner,” he added.
This went on for about 6km, passing through Jalan Harmonium, Jalan Badik, Jalan Tebrau, and up to the exit to Pekan Ulu Tiram, he said.
“The chase, involving five police patrol cars, lasted about 20 minutes. The police successfully apprehended the suspects when the car was forced to stop due to traffic congestion,” he added.
ACP Raub said investigations revealed that the two Malaysian men inside the car, including the driver, were high on drugs.
“Both tested positive for methamphetamine.
“They were also using a car with a fake registration number and expired road tax.
“Furthermore, the driver did not have a valid licence,” he said, adding that they panicked when they encountered the police and attempted to flee.
He said the 24-year-old driver has two prior drug-related offences. His 28-year-old passenger has no criminal record.
They are being investigated under Sections 42(1), 108(3)(e), 26(1) and 23(1) of the Road Transport Act, he added.
The men are also being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing public servants in carrying out their duties and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act for drug abuse.
