MACC seizes RM800k in policeman's house in Malacca

PUTRAJAYA: A police corporal held by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Wednesday over an investigation on the "protection" of vice and gambling dens in two districts in Malacca led investigators to RM800,000 he allegedly stashed in a storeroom at his house.
The 52-year-old corporal who is attached to the Malacca state anti-vice, gaming and secret society unit (D7) was the latest suspect to be arrested after six of his superiors namely - an assistant commissioner and deputy superintendent who are both district police chiefs, two assistant superintendents and two inspectors were detained by the MACC since Tuesday.
Sources revealed that the cash is believed to be bribes paid out by gaming and vice dens operators.
The corporal was allegedly tasked as the "liaison" personnel who collected the kickbacks on behalf of his superiors from runners of the operators.
Sources also said the role of the corporal also included safekeeping the cash and disbursing it accordingly to his superiors on request.
MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki confirmed the arrest of the corporal but declined to make further comments.
Yesterday, the policeman whose immediate superior was among those arrested was remanded for seven days to assist in the investigations.
His arrest brings the total number of those held to 10 - including three civilians who are allegedly middlemen and operators of the illegal dens.
On Tuesday, after months of surveillance, the MACC launched an operation to nab the policemen who allegedly for years had taken bribes to look the other way and spare the illegal businesses of legal action.
All suspects remain in MACC's custody and are being probed over the allegations.
The commission is also investigating claims that the gaming and vice kingpins had the influence to exert pressure on police top brass to transfer out any officer who did not condone to the illegal activities in the districts.
The case also prompted the federal police Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS) to initiate a parallel probe on the detained policemen.