According to an MACC source, the male suspect, in his 40s, contacted the woman on Nov 30 following the arrest of her husband under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012 and demanded a bribe to help secure his release.

“During the phone conversation, the suspect requested around RM80,000 from the woman to change his testimony so that her husband could be released from Sosma detention.

“The suspect asked for an advance payment of around RM25,000 from the woman, who then made several transfers via e-wallet payment systems, totalling about RM3,000,” the source said.

The source added that on Monday, the suspect again contacted the woman and asked for another RM2,000 in cash. The woman later handed over RM1,000 to the suspect during a meeting at a petrol station in Sungai Dua at around 2pm, before he was arrested.

Meanwhile, Penang MACC director Fuad Bee Basrah confirmed the arrest of the suspect and said the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.

He said the suspect would be brought to the magistrates’ court in George Town for a remand application tomorrow.