PUTRAJAYA: Eight individuals including six vehicle inspectors have been detained over graft allegations.
The eight, arrested by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday, were believed to be involved in a syndicate which was approving heavy vehicle inspections at a vehicle inspection centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Sources revealed the suspects, aged in their 30s and 50s, were arrested between 12pm and 11pm when they came to the MACC Headquarters here to have their statements recorded.
The source added that the arrests were made following interrogations involving an agent who was handed over by the Road Transport Department recently.
"The six vehicle inspectors involved have since been released on MACC bail after their statements were recorded.
"Meanwhile, two other individuals were remanded for five days from Jan 11 to facilitate further investigations," the source said.
The remand order was issued by Magistrate Irza Zulaikha at the Putrajaya Magistrates Court today morning.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations), Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, when contacted, confirmed the arrests.
"We have opened investigations under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.
"To date, the MACC have arrested nine individuals and do not rule out the possibility that followup arrests will be made to help with investigations.
It was previously reported that a man was arrested on Jan 3 on suspicion of involvement in corruption during heavy vehicle inspections at the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom).
The suspect was detained after being handed over by the Road Transport Department (RTD) after recording his statement at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
A strategic cooperation between MACC and RTD has resulted in the arrest of an individual suspected of corruption.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had paid bribes amounting to several hundred ringgit per vehicle inspected in exchange for approving the inspection of heavy vehicles at Puspakom.
On Dec 30, 2024, a surprise RTD inspection at the Wangsa Maju Puspakom centre uncovered an unsafe vehicle that had passed inspection.
Officers also found several lorries with unsafe retread tyres awaiting inspection.
On Jan 2, Puspakom chief executive officer Mahmood Razak Bahman said four Puspakom employees from its Wangsa Maju branch were summoned by the RTD for questioning over allegations that a vehicle was approved despite not meeting standards.
Mahmood said only two staff were called up to give their statements.