A DOZEN police officers, including an assistant superintendent, were arrested today in a crackdown against corrupt enforcement officers who were allegedly protecting transport companies who had flouted traffic rules in return for bribes.

The 12 from the Penang traffic and enforcement division will be brought to the George Town magistrates’ court today to be remanded.

“They closed an eye when heavy vehicles were overloaded or had flouted other traffic rules,” said anti-graft sources.

“These officers had also alerted transport companies on traffic operations in the state.”

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the arrest of the 12 police officers.

It was earlier reported that the MACC was watching at least 70 officers and personnel from various enforcement agencies in the northern states for allegedly turning a blind eye to traffic offences committed by lorries and other heavy vehicles.

MACC sources told The Malaysian Insight intelligence revealed that these officers and their subordinates could each collect between RM10,000 and RM25,000 every month.

Last year, MACC arrested 75 Road Transport Department (RTD) officers who were believed to have collected bribes of between RM10,000 and RM36,000 each month not to take action against lorries which were overloaded.

The deal also included tipping off lorry owners when RTD was to carry out operations. Those  under protection were given special stickers for identification.

It was reported that some of the RTD and police officers were back with a vengeance and were demanding compensation for the months they could not collect bribes.

Sources said the latest operation was triggered by honest lorry drivers who complained they were being asked for bribes if they did not want trouble from the RTD and police while driving in the north. – March 10, 2020.