KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 29 -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is probing alleged irregularities in the country's tyre industry, including possible price manipulation.

Berita Harian reported sources as saying investigators are focusing on the annual import of up to 300 containers of tyres, some of which are suspected of being unsafe or unsuitable for local road conditions, posing a serious public safety risk.

The investigation also covers an estimated RM70 million in annual government revenue losses.

These losses are believed to stem from unpaid import duties - a 40 per cent tariff for tyres from non-Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) countries and a 10 per cent Sales and Service Tax (SST) - on approximately 100,000 heavy vehicle ...