IPOH: The magistrate's court here today rejects the police's application to extend the remand of three traffic policemen who allegedly solicited RM100 from a British YouTube couple.
The case is being investigated under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion, Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
The trio, aged between 37 and 42, entered the courtroom at 1.18pm today, covering their faces with hoodies and face masks. They were also seen handcuffed and escorted by several policemen.
Lawyers Muhammad Al-Hirzan Mahamad Akhir and Aqmarul Aqil Ismail, appearing for the accused, told the media outside the court that magistrate Siti Nora Sharif rejected application to extend the remand because the victims had not come forward, in addition to other technical issues.
Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said that the three traffic policemen would be released on police bail.
"The case is being investigated by Bukit Aman. They will issue a statement," he said when contacted today.
On Jan 28, Chris and Marianne Fisher, from Shropshire, England, who run the YouTube channel "TREAD the globe", were stopped by traffic police at Jalan Simpang Pulai - Cameron Highlands here. The policemen allegedly solicited RM100 from them for a traffic infraction.
A video of the interaction was uploaded on the couple's YouTube channel as well as their X account.
The 51-second video showed the couple stopping their van by the roadside before a traffic policeman appeared at the driver's window.
Both parties were heard exchanging greetings before the policeman told the couple that they were driving above the speed limit.
The policeman was heard telling them that the speed limit was 60kph but they were travelling at 70.5kph.
The policeman told them that he would issue them a summons that they have to pay at the police station.
Marianne did not object to this, however, the policeman then told them that paying the fine at the police station would be RM300, but they could pay him RM100 on the spot.
The couple paid the policeman RM100.
The clip has been widely shared on social media and sparked a police investigation into alleged bribery.
