The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained a company owner and a tourism company manager for allegedly attempting to bribe an enforcement officer with RM50,000 to swap samples of wild animal meat seized at a resort in Semporna last week.
The seven-day remand order, until May 30, was issued by Magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum at the Tawau Magistrates’ Court today after an application was made by MACC.
Based on court documents, the suspects are believed to have offered a bribe to an investigating officer in exchange for replacing samples of confiscated meat that had been handed over to the Tawau Wildlife Department on May 15 for investigation purposes.
The meat is suspected to be from wildlife species listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, which carries penalties of fines and imprisonment upon conviction.
It was reported that the complainant received a WhatsApp message from the suspects on May 19 offering RM50,000 for the arrangement.
Two days later, another message was allegedly sent from the same number arranging a meeting at a restaurant in Tawau town for the handover of the bribe.
Acting on intelligence, MACC Tawau launched “Ops Seawind” and arrested the first suspect after he allegedly handed over RM10,000 in cash to the complainant at a restaurant in the city at about 9.30pm.
The second suspect was later arrested at around 11.50pm the same night for allegedly abetting in the bribery attempt.
