PUTRAJAYA: Anti-graft operations targeting “tontos” have led to the arrest of eight enforcement officers, including four policemen, says Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday (March 4) at the MACC headquarters here, Azam said that a total of four policemen, four Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers, two business owners, seven tontos and a mule account holder were arrested as part of Ops Middleman.
“This brings the total number of individuals arrested for investigation in this case to 18. The operation has been ongoing since Feb 24.”
“We have opened multiple investigation papers, with one for each individual arrested. So far, we have recorded statements from approximately four witnesses, and several more will be called to complete the investigation.”
“The focus of this case is on bribery payments,” he said.
He added that a total of RM326,625 in cash was seized, with the MACC also confiscating 25 cars worth around RM2.5mil.
“Based on intelligence and investigations, we have identified bribery transactions amounting to RM12,480,000. As part of the investigation, we are tracing where these funds were channelled,” he said.
He said that in addition to the seizures mentioned earlier, they also confiscated jewellery estimated at approximately RM40,000, 27 mobile phones valued at around RM81,000, and 41 walkie-talkies estimated at RM14,760.
“These walkie-talkies were used by the tonto members to communicate among themselves and with other parties to facilitate their road activities,” he said.
A further RM4,692,280.19 from 59 bank accounts has also been frozen.
“These accounts belong to individuals connected to the tonto group, including the tonto members themselves, as well as related company accounts,” he said, adding that the investigation papers will be referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor as soon as possible.
Azam also did not rule out the possibility of the tontos working with other organised crime groups.
“From the time I started serving until now, for more than 41 years, whenever it involves tontos, similar to other criminal methods, they are also involved in activities commonly referred to as secret societies,” he said.
He added that the operation will be conducted in other states as well, with cooperation from the relevant stakeholders there.
“However, I want to stress that this time it involves the tonto group because they act as the middlemen in facilitating the payment of bribes. So what we are trying to do first is ‘cut the string’ so that they will no longer be able to continue paying bribes,” he said.
“In this case, the modus operandi is that they are the ones who approach the enforcement officers, not the enforcement officers approaching them. They initiate contact, request assistance, and so on,” he said.
