MACC investigating graft at border

PUTRAJAYA: After discovering a serious breach of security at the Perlis-Thailand border due to enforcement personnel being on the take, graft investigators want to know how rampant corruption is at the Kedah and Kelantan border.Investigators from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) received data to help probe allegations that some border security personnel stationed at Padang Besar are receiving money from smugglers to allow them to hand over goods illegally to their counterparts in Thailand.Chief commissioner Latheefa Koya said the discovery would help MACC’s efforts in fighting corruption, adding that the data received dated from 2017 up to May this year.

She did not reveal how the investigators had gotten hold of the data.

“This means that the corruption has been going on for a long time, but we are not going to allow this to continue to happen.

“The reason we are exposing this is so that they know they are now being watched, ” she said at a press conference yesterday.

Also present were deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki, forensic division director Husin Mohamad Nasir and head of the forensic division’s audio video branch Badri Azni.

Latheefa said the commission’s forensics team had looked through the recordings to verify their authenticity and handed them over to the police, adding that MACC would work with the Inspector-General of Police on the case.

The Star recently reported on petrol dealers cautioning the government that cross-industry leakages and smuggling of subsidised fuel would continue, even with the targeted fuel subsidy scheme kicking in next year.

The big price difference between Malaysia and its neighbouring countries would be the “pull factor” for smugglers, said Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia president Datuk Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz.

He said cross-border smuggling to Kalimantan and cross-industry leakages from retail to commercial would likely continue.

On whether MACC had evidence of such activities taking place at the Bukit Kayu Hitam border in Kedah as well as Rantau Panjang in Kelantan, Latheefa said: “We have evidence, but so far we haven’t gotten clear video recordings like the ones we received on Padang Besar. We will follow through.

“Because of what we have been provided, it actually opened our eyes to the extent of it and how they blatantly do it (corruption).” At the press conference, a 11-minute video recording was shown to the media.

The footage shows individuals believed to be smugglers and enforcement personnel talking to each other, after which the “coast is clear” for them to carry out the smuggling activities.There is also footage of people carrying white sacks and making a dash to the border walls as their accomplice from the neighbouring country waits to take the packages.

It is believed that the sacks contain ketum leaves, which can fetch a price of RM100 per kg if sold in Thailand compared to RM18 per kg locally.

An enforcement vehicle is seen passing through the area in the footage, though it does not stop.

Among the goods believed to be smuggled are cooking oil, sugar and petrol.

Latheefa said aside from daily items, smuggling activities could involve endangered animals, drugs and even human trafficking.

“Because of this breakthrough, we now know how simple and easy it is to let these things happen at the borders because of corruption.

“As far as MACC is concerned, our role is to make sure that this blatant corruption cannot repeat itself anymore, ” she said.

Meanwhile, Bukit Aman has identified several policemen involved in enabling smuggling activities, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.“We will take stern action against the police personnel found to be involved, ” he added.

Police were also reviewing the standard operating procedures (SOP) on border security to effectively curb smuggling activities across the Thai-Malaysian border, he said.

A few recommendations and actions have been considered, while thorough measures to boost border security have been taken since last month.

“I chaired a special meeting last month attended by all brigade commanders and General Operations Force commanding officers, as well as the Marine Police commander.

“We discussed at length the smuggling problem and involvement of enforcement personnel in lax security at the borders, ” he said when contacted.

A few weaknesses in terms of SOP and supervision were identified during the meeting, Abdul Hamid added.

“Certain recommendations were made during the meeting and Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order director Comm Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani has taken the necessary action, ” he said. - Star