NINE enforcement agency officials were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today for allegedly soliciting and accepting bribes from fishing vessel owners and runners from 2018 to 2021.

An MACC source said the officials were suspected of receiving bribes as a reward for protecting and not taking legal action against fishing vessels in violation of the Fisheries Act 1985.

Two civilians were also detained for providing bribes between RM300 and RM7,000 to the nine officials who served in Kuala Kedah, Batu Uban and Langkawi.

“All 11 suspects, in their 30s to 50s, were arrested between 10am and noon today after being asked to provide their statements at the Alor Setar MACC office.

“All the officials involved are believed to have committed the offences from 2018 to 2021 and were arrested for accepting bribes deposited into personal accounts,” said the source.

MACC intelligence division director Azmi Kamaruzaman confirmed the arrests when contacted, adding that the case is being investigated under section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.

He said five officials will be taken for remand applications at the Alor Setar magistrate’s court tomorrow while the rest were released on MACC bail after their statements were recorded. – Bernama, September 11, 2023.