Vapes turn cash cow for corrupt Malaysian officials, netting US$45,000 monthly from smugglers
The anti-corruption agency seized thousands of vape pens and arrested suspects, including customs officers, during a recent operation
Corrupt enforcement officers have been raking in close to 200,000 ringgit (US$45,216) each month from vape smugglers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Free Commercial Zone (FCZ).
These officers collect bribes from lorries that leave the KLIA cargo inspection centre, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki said.
He said the amount of bribes depended on the types of lorries being let through.
“For a one-tonne lorry, the amount is 150 ringgit, three-tonne lorry (300 ringgit), five-tonne lorry (500 ringgit) and above five tonnes is 750 ringgit.
“Every day, some 20 lorries go through the FCZ and the amount of bribes collected is between 4,000 ringgit and 6,000 ringgit each day,” he said.
He said the lorries being let through inspections by these enforcement officers were involved in various offences especially vape smuggling.
