JOHOR BARU: Four policemen, including an officer, have been arrested for alleged misconduct involving the extortion of RM45,000 from two businessmen.
Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar said the arrests followed a report lodged by one of the victims on Aug 28.
He confirmed that the suspects—one officer and three personnel—were arrested for investigation.
"We are currently gathering information related to the incident. Upon completion, the investigation paper will be submitted to the public prosecutor’s office for further instructions.
"The four of them have been released on police bail and placed in non-active units while investigations take place," he said during a press conference at the state police headquarters on Monday (Sept 2).
Aside from a probe under Section 386 of the Penal Code for extortion, Comm Kumar said an internal investigation would also be launched to ensure full transparency.
"Although the four had no prior disciplinary issues, we will conduct a two-pronged investigation to ensure transparency," he added.
On Tuesday (Aug 27), the victim lodged a police report claiming that two policemen approached him and his friend while they were having a meal at a restaurant in Austin Heights around 5pm.
A report circulated on social media detailed how the policemen allegedly took the victims’ mobile phones and told them to get into a car to be taken to the Seri Alam district police headquarters.
The victims were then ushered into a commercial crimes office where two more policemen were waiting inside.
The policemen allegedly told the victims they were suspected of being involved in a scam and human trafficking syndicate, which could lead to their incarceration.
The policemen reportedly demanded RM150,000 from the businessmen to “settle” the case or risk being arrested, taken to court, and banned from the district.
However, the businessmen said they only had RM30,000 with them, and the policemen allegedly took them to two banks to withdraw another RM15,000.
The victims were allegedly sent back to their vehicles after handing over the RM45,000 to the policemen.
