The Malaysian Insight

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) received 20 complaints about alleged bribery and abuse of power in the judiciary between January and August this year.

MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya said the allegations were against people working in the magistrates’ and sessions courts.

“It is worrying. We received all sorts of complaints, of which 20 involved bribery and abuse of power. Some of them were multiple reports against the same judge.

“In some instances, the losing party in a court case made a complaint, accusing the judge of bias.

“So, we have to go through all the complaints to check,” Latheefa told reporters after attending the judiciary’s integrity day at Kuala Lumpur Court Complex today.

Latheefa said investigation papers have been opened on some of the complaints and people have been called for their statements.

However, she declined to comment on whether a sessions court judge in Kuala Kubu Baru was among the people under suspicion.

In July, a sessions court judge from the town in northern Selangor was arrested by the MACC on suspicion of taking bribes in exchange for releasing undocumented migrants.

A deputy public prosecutor, a lawyer and several police officers who had been stationed at the court were also arrested.

It is believed they are part of an illegal immigration racket. – October 15, 2019.