KANGAR: The magistrate's court here has granted the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) a four-day remand order against Perlis Fisheries Department enforcement staff over allegations of soliciting and receiving kickbacks from a company two years ago.
Magistrate Nurshahida Abdul Rahim approved the remand application when the 44-year-old suspect was presented to the court about 8.45am.
According to a source, the suspect had solicited monthly kickbacks from the company to cover up for its offences that fall under the department's jurisdiction.
"The suspect is believed to have asked for monthly protection money of between RM500 and RM800 from the company as an inducement for the department not to take action against offences related to five fishing vessels owned by the company.
"He is also believed to have leaked information on enforcement operations carried out by the department as well as other law enforcement agencies in Perlis waters," said the source.
The source said the investigation suggested that the monthly kickbacks were paid through a third party's account but was under the suspect's control.
"The suspect has been serving the department over the last 10 years and is married.
"We believe the total amount of kickbacks that he had received throughout the period was about RM4,800," he said.
It was reported that the MACC had detained the suspect yesterday afternoon when he turned up at the commission's office here to have his statement recorded.
Perlis MACC director Mohd Nor Adha Ab Gani had confirmed the arrest.
