Malaysian journalist arrested for allegedly receiving $6k bribe after soliciting $30k

A Malaysiakini journalist was arrested by graft busters on Feb 28 for allegedly receiving a bribe from an agent that deals with foreign workers in return for not publishing two articles about the agent's activities.

- Zunaira Saieed

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki told the news portal on March 1 that journalist B. Nantha Kumar was arrested for allegedly receiving a bribe of RM20,000 (S$6,056) from the agent.

According to Tan Sri Azam, the journalist had allegedly solicited RM100,000 (S$30,300) from the agent in exchange for not publishing two articles concerning the agent. The amount was eventually reduced to RM20,000, he said.

"The agent lodged a report with MACC, after which we carried out what is called a 'trap case,'" he said.

Subsequently, the agent met the journalist at Concorde Hotel in Shah Alam, Selangor, where the cash was handed over to the journalist.

"MACC officers arrested the journalist on the spot with the RM20,000," Mr Azam said.

He said that Mr Nantha, who has been remanded for four days, is being investigated for soliciting and receiving bribes under Section 16(a)(a) of the MACC Act 2009.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Mr Azam denied that the journalist was arrested because of the news portal's recent article exposing a migrant trafficking cartel.