Net 'big shark, not small fry' in Penang RTD, MACC told

A former Seberang Perai Municipal councillor wants the MACC to investigate the "big shark" involved in graft activities at the Penang RTD instead of merely hauling up the “small fry'.

Teoh Seang Hooi, who also heads the DAP Bukit Tambun branch, wants to know who is the "godfather" behind the 52 RTD enforcement officers who were detained by the Penang MACC since April 20.

While many quarters have lauded the move by the graftbusters with the largest number of arrests of RTD officers in history crippling the department's operations in Penang.

"Go for the shark behind this high-profile corruption investigation as the number of RTD enforcement officers hauled up has exceeded 50 people," Teoh told Malaysiakini.

"How could the top bosses be so ignorant of the massive involvement of their subordinates in corrupt practices which according to MACC had been happening for years?" Teoh asked.

According to Bernama, the MACC has vowed to call in the Penang RTD director and top management to assist in the corruption investigations involving their department officers if it is deemed necessary.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki was quoted by the news agency on April 20 as saying they may be called in after the process of recording statements from the detained officers has been completed.

Teoh said the Bukit Tambun DAP branch had convened an emergency meeting last night over the matter.

"The branch passed a resolution urging the MACC to speed up the investigation so that those directly or indirectly involved would be dealt with under the law," he said.

On April 20, 22 RTD officers in Penang were arrested to assist with investigations into a protection racket involving lorry drivers.

The officers - aged between 32 to 55 - were detained when they showed up at the Penang MACC office to assist in a probe involving 30 other officers.

On April 17, the 30, including 24 Penang RTD officers and six civilians, were remanded for seven days over the corruption claims.

They were detained by the MACC for allegedly receiving bribes involving monthly fees of between RM10,000 and RM32,000 paid as “protection money” by lorry drivers to avoid RTD enforcement activities. - Mkini