GEORGE TOWN: Three doctors in Penang and 30 other suspects arrested for allegedly making false Social Security Organisation (Socso) claims have been brought to court here to be remanded.

All 33 of them are aged 26 to 60 and were brought in five Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) vans under heavy security at 9am on Wednesday (Sept 4).

The senior doctors from three separate hospitals in Penang were arrested by the MACC to facilitate investigations into allegations of falsifying disability claims by Socso.

It is understood that the doctors are from two public hospitals and a private hospital in Seberang Prai.

These are the Seberang Jaya Hospital, Bukit Mertajam Hospital and the Bagan Specialist Hospital.

The arrests came after Penang Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran called on the government - particularly the Human Resources Ministry - to explain the alleged suspension of senior doctors handling Socso disability claims purportedly linked to a cartel in the state.

Dr Lingeshawaran was said to have told the Dewan Negara that the panel was suspended until further notice after Socso discovered the racket at a hospital in Penang.