THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Semporna arrested six men, including five civil servants, on suspicion of soliciting bribes to look the other way in a subsidised cooking oil-related case last night.

A source said that the civil servants and a civilian, a suspected middleman, are believed to have solicited a bribe of RM20,000 from an individual as an inducement not to take action against his son, who was caught storing 100 boxes of subsidised cooking oil, believed to be for smuggling.

“The six suspects, aged 29 to 50, were arrested at 10pm, after receiving part of the bribe of RM5,000 from the said individual,” the source said.

Sabah MACC director S. Karunanithy contacted, confirmed the arrest and said the case was being investigated for corruptly giving gratification with intent to obtain or retain any business.

He said that all the suspects will appear at Tawau Sessions Court today for the remand application. – Bernama, January 12, 2023.