The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has revealed that enforcement officers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Free Commercial Zone (KLIA FCZ) are raking in up to RM6,000 daily from bribes involving a vape smuggling syndicate.
These findings were part of the ongoing “Op Airways” which saw six Customs Department personnel arrested by MACC over allegations of receiving gratification from the syndicate.
KLIA FCZ enforcement officers are receiving up to RM6,000 in bribes a day
Azam Baki was quoted by Sinar Harian as saying that the amount of bribes was dependent on the type of lorries carrying illicit items that the officers allowed to pass through.
The MACC Chief Commissioner revealed that if a lorry was 1 tonne, the amount of the bribe is RM150, RM300 for 3 tonnes, RM500 for 5 tonnes and above.
He added,
“The frequency of the lorries exiting from KLIA FCZ was around 20 lorries a day, and the estimated gratification amount received by the officers is around RM4,000 to RM6,000 per day,”
Tan Sri Azam Baki
Azam further revealed that the lorries the enforcement officers allowed to pass perform many offences, including smuggling.
The syndicate has been ongoing since 2023
Moreover, based on 3-month long intelligence and investigation work, the syndicate has been ongoing since 2023. MACC is currently identifying other suspects involved in the syndicate.
So far, Op Airways seized the smuggled vapes, as well as other items such as computers, smartphones, branded goods and cash; all of which amounted to an estimated value of RM17,954,459.
So, what do you guys think of the MACC Chief Commissioner’s statement? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Also read: MACC Reveals Its Own Assistant Commissioner Has Been Charged for Misusing RM613,000 in Seized Assets
