NINE people, including seven police officers, on remand in connection with an online gambling and money laundering syndicate have been released on Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) bail this evening.

An MACC source said the suspects were later handed over to Bukit Aman CID for investigation under the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA) 1959, after the case was classified as a syndicated crime.

“They were only released on MACC bail because all of them were needed for further police investigation.

“In other words, they are still not released,” the source told Bernama.

On Friday, Bernama reported that Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS) director Zamri Yahya said the department had started internal investigations on the suspects.

All those involved were suspected of abuse of power, as well as protecting the syndicate and receiving gratifications in the form of cash and others.

In this regard, the Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador ordered detailed investigations be conducted after the gang’s activities came to light.

On October 8, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said his agency had detected hundreds of dummy companies to mask the gang’s operations.

The MACC also confiscated 23 vehicles, including luxury brands, as well as several high-performance motorcycles owned by members of a gang.

Earlier, MACC also called a celebrity couple to give their statements to assist investigations on the case.

Meanwhile, police confirmed eight of the nine suspects had been detained to give statements on gambling around Kuala Lumpur.

Bukit Aman CID director Huzir Mohamed said another person, who is a civilian, was released.

“All of them were detained today to record their initial statements for further investigations, three of them including the prime suspect are expected to be remanded tomorrow for further investigations,” he said when contacted. – Bernama, October 11, 2020.