PETALING JAYA: Three enforcement assistants have become the latest customs department officials to be charged with bribery, as part of a sweep of officers allegedly paid not to inspect cargo leaving KLIA.
Ahmad Emin Nazrul Ahmad Nazrin, 41, pleaded not guilty to 90 charges of bribery involving RM84,400 dating back to 2017 in the Kota Bharu sessions court before judge Dazuki Ali today, Bernama reported.
In the Kuala Terengganu sessions court, Che Taufik Che Arif, 33, and Afiq Ikhwan Ramli, 30, pleaded not guilty before judge Azhar Othman to accepting RM12,500 in bribes between 2017 and 2023.
At least 15 other customs officers faced similar charges in courtrooms across the country over the past three weeks. They were also accused of taking money not to inspect Kalos Enterprise cargo trucks leaving KLIA.
They face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of at least five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is the higher, upon conviction.
On March 29, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki said Malaysia had lost around RM2 billion in taxes to a smuggling syndicate operating from the KLIA cargo terminal.
The syndicate is believed to have been involved in smuggling tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol, health products and vehicle spare parts through the terminal.
He said 34 customs officers were detained from March 11 to 25 on suspicion of receiving more than RM4.7 million in bribes.
