PUTRAJAYA: The remand for nine individuals has been extended by five days beginning tomorrow to facilitate investigations into corruption involving the collection of “protection money” from operators of illegal gambling dens and massage parlours in Melaka.

The individuals include two officers in charge of police districts (OCPD).

In allowing an application from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court, magistrate Nik Isfahanie Tasnim Wan Ab Rahman approved the remand period for the suspects to be extended to May 27.

The suspects, aged between 31 and 54, were earlier remanded for six days beginning May 17.

They are being investigated under Sections 16(a)(B) and 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009. Six of the nine are police officers in Melaka while the rest are civilians.

MACC has also reportedly frozen several bank accounts belonging to the suspects following investigations.