They had been detained to facilitate investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into a protection racket involving lorry drivers who flouted traffic laws in the state.

The remand order was issued by magistrate L Umma Devi following an application by the MACC.

The three men, aged between 32 and 48, are being investigated under Section 17 (a) of the MACC Act 2009.

They are believed to have received a monthly payment of RM10,000 to protect the lorry drivers and to date the cumulative sum has exceeded RM140,000.

They were detained at the MACC headquarters along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah here while having their statements recorded yesterday.

A series of arrests have been made after 46 Penang JPJ enforcement personnel were called to have their statements recorded since last week.