Three civil servants, including two officers from an enforcement agency, have been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sabah on suspicion of soliciting bribes amounting to approximately RM500,000.
The male suspects, aged between their 40s and 50s, were remanded for seven days until April 22 after a remand application was approved by Magistrate Don Stiwan Malanjum at the Tawau Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
According to sources, the civil servants, who were stationed in a district within the state, are believed to have requested and received bribes in exchange for refraining from taking enforcement action against lorries owned by companies that had committed offences under the Road Transport Act 1987.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the alleged activities took place between 2022 and 2024, with the suspects reportedly receiving bribes through bank transfers into their personal accounts. It is understood that such practices point to systemic weaknesses that continue to challenge enforcement integrity in certain sectors.
Further findings indicated that the three individuals — comprising two officers and one enforcement personnel — are also believed to have received monthly payments ranging from approximately RM500 to RM30,000 each from several heavy vehicle companies. Such recurring payments suggest a sustained pattern of misconduct over a prolonged period.
The suspects were arrested between 4pm and 5pm on Tuesday while attending to provide statements at the MACC Tawau branch office.
Meanwhile, MACC Senior Deputy Director (Operations Control and Coordination Division) Datuk Yuhafiz Mohd Salleh, when contacted, confirmed the arrests and stated that the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
