Vietnamese Datuk detained by MACC over alleged maritime bribery
PETALING JAYA: A Vietnamese businesswoman with the title of Datuk has been detained by the anti-graft body for allegedly offering bribes to maritime officers.
Sources said the woman, 41, was held at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Kuantan at 12.10pm on Wednesday (Nov 15).
She was summoned there to assist a probe into the alleged offering of RM890,000 to settle a case earlier this year.
It is learnt that the amount was paid in five transactions to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officers.
"We believe the suspect can assist us in identifying the boat owners and crewmen who have been released so far.
"Checks also showed that some of the boats were using false registration when they were detained by the authorities.
"We also want to know the extent of the links between the suspect and the agents working for a government enforcement agency," said the source.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed the arrest.
Azam said the suspect would be brought to the MACC headquarters to assist in the case.
She is expected to be remanded at 9am in a magistrate's court in Putrajaya on Thursday (Nov 16).
Last week, the suspect was charged with allegedly offering a RM800,000 bribe to two MMEA officers as an inducement to release nine Vietnamese fishing boats seized under the Fisheries Act 1985.
The accused has been living in the country for the past 17 years and is believed to be a mother of four.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/15/vietnamese-datuk-detained-by-macc-over-alleged-maritime-bribery/#5BV5M9lEvKv1eoQl.99
