KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 — The Transport Ministry (MOT) has expressed full support for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigation into and arrests of enforcement officers suspected of being middlemen for a so-called “tonto” cartel linked to corrupt protection rackets involving commercial vehicles.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he was earlier informed about the joint operation by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and MACC to safeguard JPJ’s image, credibility and integrity.
He said he has also received numerous complaints, including from lorry operators, regarding the involvement of enforcement personnel who allegedly leaked operational information to external parties before enforcement was done.
“This has happened several times over the past few months. I have raised the matter with the director-general and the JPJ enforcement director, and as a result, preparations were made together with the MACC to take action.
“Following investigations and surveillance, it was found that there were indeed internal parties involved, and arrests were made yesterday,” Loke told reporters after attending a zakat handover ceremony by the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) here today.
Also present were Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah and RAC chief executive officer Datuk Azhar Ahmad.
Loke said the tonto (abbreviation for “tolong orang nak tipu orang”: help people deceive others) cartel undermines previous large-scale enforcement operations targeting overloaded commercial vehicles, as non-compliant lorry operators would only adhere to load limits on enforcement days after being tipped off.
“I hope the action taken by the MACC serves as a strong warning to irresponsible parties that they are being monitored.
“Do not assume, and do not think that we are unaware of what you are doing, including lorry operators who pay these ‘tontos’ to obtain information. They, too, are being identified,” Loke said.
Earlier, 13 people, including three enforcement officers, were remanded on suspicion of masterminding a tonto cartel linked to corrupt activities to protect lorry owners operating across Peninsular Malaysia.
The suspects are under remand until Friday.
