PETALING JAYA: A former aide to a federal minister has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on suspicion of soliciting a RM25,000 bribe.
According to an MACC source, the bribe was a kickback for the approval of a citizenship application.
The suspect in his 40s had served as a special officer to a minister in 2019. He was arrested at around 5pm yesterday and was placed under remand until Friday.
He allegedly asked for the sum from a local man who was applying for Malaysian citizenship for his son. The source said the man first filed an application in 2015.
“Last June, the suspect contacted the individual to inform that the letter of approval for the citizenship was with him. But he asked the man to pay RM25,000 first,” the source added.
The source also said the suspect was arrested following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s revelation of corruption among several officers in the national registration department.
MACC intelligence director Azmi Kamaruzaman confirmed the arrest when contacted.