MACC has arrested eight prison officers for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for them turning a blind eye to the smuggling of contraband into prison.

According to a source, the eight individuals were picked up between 9.45am to 10.30am this morning in Penang, Kedah and Pahang.

The suspects, aged between 25 to 44, are alleged to have accepted bribes exceeding RM120,000.

A 45-year-old Indonesian driver was also arrested in Penang at 9.50am.

It is learnt all suspects are being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.

“[...] preliminary investigations found that the prison officers accepted bribes estimated to exceed RM120,000 from the driver, who was acting as a middleman, for not taking any action against contraband being brought into prison.

“MACC will be seeking a remand order against the suspects tomorrow at the Penang magistrates court,” the source said.

However, it is not clear which prison is purportedly involved.

Penang MACC director Wan Ramli Wan Abdullah, meanwhile, confirmed the arrests.