ACA nabs 28 Puspakom officers and 19 runners in biggest swoop ever. More arrests are expected. Tens of thousands of vehicles approved as roadworthy by these officers now face recall for re-inspection. PUTRAJAYA: In the largest swoop ever by the Anti-Corruption Agency, 28 Puspakom officers were arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes.

The arrests were made in 10 states and Kuala Lumpur since Sunday.

The ACA also arrested 19 runners believed to have bribed the officers for certifying vehicles as road-worthy without conducting inspections.

Tens of thousands of vehicles which were approved by the 28 officers now face a recall for re-inspection.

More arrests are expected to be made in the next few days.

The ACA operation was carried out with assistance from the national vehicle inspection company.

ACA investigation director Datuk Shukri Abdull said the arrested Puspakom officers were either traffic wardens or vehicle examiners.

"Since Sunday until 2pm (yesteray), with the cooperation of Puspakom, we arrested 47 people all over the country.

"The arrests are in relation to cases of inspection of problematic vehicles without following procedures and giving approvals without inspecting the vehicles."

He told a press conference that the operation started many months ago but was intensified two months ago. Puspakom's chief executive officer Datuk Salamat Wahit was also present.

In Penang, ACA officers arrested one runner and seven Puspakom officers while in Negri Sembilan, one runner and six officers were picked up. Another four runners and seven Puspakom officers were nabbed in Johor.

Arrests were also made in Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur.

Initial investigations revealed that the officers received about RM80 for inspecting a problematic vehicle without following procedures and RM400 for approval without inspecting the vehicle.

Salamat said about 20 Puspakom officers had their services terminated early this year over alleged bribery.

"This cooperation with ACA will be extended. We welcome anybody with information on corrupt officers to contact us."

Salamat also said those arrested were junior and senior officers.