JOHOR BARU, Dec 3 — Johor police have arrested a businessman who attempted to wriggle his way out of a raid in Ulu Tiram by claiming friendship with their boss and offering them RM45,000.

Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the 47-year-old businessman offered money three times to the raiding team last night as inducement to leave the nightclub and its guests alone.

"However, the officer on duty ignored the businessman’s offer and instead detained him together with 15 visitors aged 20 to 54 who were found to be positive for methamphetamine and ketamine abuse.

"The businessman is also suspected of being an intermediary to the owner of the premises by using the name of the Johor police chief to carry out illegal activities,” Ayob told reporters at the Johor police contingent headquarters here today.

The case is being investigated under Section 15 (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Section 6 (2) of the Johor Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment 1998, Regulation 11 2020 and Section 17 (b) Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.

Ayob said using his name would not protect those running illegal activities.

The businessman has been handed over to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for further action.

Ayob said all 66 patrons at the nightclub have been fined RM1,000 for violating regulations under the recovery movement control order (RMCO).

He said last night’s raid was the second conducted by police. The first raid was on November 1.

Under the RMCO, nightclubs are barred from operating as the government deemed many patrons would flout the required physically distancing regulation to prevent the spread of Covid-19.