Viral messages claim MACC going undercover to nab bribe-offering motorists

KUALA LUMPUR: Several text and audio messages are circulating in the social media alleging Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers are going undercover and accompanying traffic police personnel to nab errant motorists who offer bribes to police for traffic offences they commit.
Although it could not be verified if there is truth in the message, it has instilled a sense of caution and fear among habitual traffic offenders who believe they can get off the hook by bribing their way out.
In one audio message, an unknown individual claimed that he was informed by a police officer that MACC officers are going undercover as personnel of the police force, Road Transport Department (JPJ), Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) and highway field staff.
He claimed the MACC officer would be present when traffic police issue summonses to errant motorist before identifying themselves when the driver offers to "pay off".
The man warned that the MACC would detain such backhanders before taking them in for investigations and subsequently charge them with corruption.
He advised motorists to collect their summons and to not bribe any traffic policeman over "a short period currently" due to the so-called MACC operation.
Another man, believed to be a cabbie in a separate audio recording issued similar warning and claimed that he was detained by the MACC after being "framed" into giving a bribe.
He alleged that he was driving in Johor after returning from Singapore and was stopped by SPAD officers for a traffic offence.
The man alleged that he pleaded with the officer to let him off with a summons after he purportedly threatened to tow away his taxi.
However, he alleged the officer demanded for a RM500 bribe.
The man said he did not have RM500 but reluctantly offered the officer the only cash he had on him — SGD$200.
He said soon after he stepped out and passed the cash to the SPAD officer, the officer identified himself as an MACC personnel and arrested him.
The man claimed he argued with the officer that it was he who had asked for the bribe but it fell in deaf ears.
The man alleged he was hauled up to the MACC officer where he was quizzed by investigators before being freed on a RM3,000 bail 10 hours later.
He was then asked to appear in court a week later and fined RM10,000 for bribery. He said there were more than a dozen others in the same court for similar offences.
The man also accused the government of trying to "earn money" from the public by such means.
Both audio messages were in Tamil while the text messages were in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki when contacted said the MACC is not disturbed by such messages and will continue its work in clamping down on bribery.
He said he sees the messages positively as it shows the public was aware the commission is constantly on its objective of fighting corruption.
"These messages also indirectly send out a warning to the corrupt that MACC is everywhere and will not tolerate any corrupt practices" he stressed.
He said it is not uncommon for the MACC to carry out such operations although he did not confirm the cases referred to in the messages.