A Singaporean has been reportedly arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Johor for bribing an immigration officer with RM100 (S$33), The New Straits Times (NST) reported.

Bribe was supposedly an attempt to avoid quarantine

Both the NST and Utusan Malaysia further reported that the 43-year-old company director had allegedly bribed the officer in an attempt to enter Malaysia without undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

However, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), travellers who enter Malaysia under the RGL are subject to a set of different health protocols, and do not need to serve the 14-day quarantine at designated facilities.

Meanwhile, the Immigration Department of Malaysia (IMI) makes no specific mention of travellers being required to undergo a 14-day quarantine under the RGL.

Self-isolation requirement mentioned instead of quarantine

Rather, travellers are subjected to the following requirements, among others, according to IMI:

• A maximum stay of 14 days,
• Remaining in Singapore for at least 14 days prior to the departure date for Malaysia,
• A certificate of having testing negative for Covid-19, within 72 hours prior to departure, and
• Taking another Covid-19 test upon entry into Malaysia.

Should the traveller test positive for Covid-19, they will "be promptly accorded the necessary medical treatment by the Government of Malaysia."

In addition, travellers must self-isolate while awaiting the release of their test results.

Once they test negative, they must proceed to the nearest Malaysian government health facility to be released from their self-isolation order.

Case being investigated under Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission Act

Malaysian media further reported that the Singaporean is being investigated under the country's Anti-Corruption Commission Act.

He was arrested on the afternoon of Oct. 24, following a report by the officer and will be remanded to Oct. 29 to assist with the investigation.

Should he be found guilty, he is liable for punishment by a fine that is five times the value of the bribe, or RM10,000 (S$3,300), depending on which is higher, or a prison term of up to 20 years, according to Lianhe Zaobao.

Mothership has reached out to MFA for further information on the matter.

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Top photo by Andrew Koay