A video on YouTube shows policemen at Malaysian checkpoints asking for, and receiving 'kopi money' or bribes, from a van, in which an undercover enforcement officer rides. According to an online news report, the police officers can earn up to RM5,000 a day in this way.

Those who discreetly filmed the video were first approached for RM10 at a checkpoint near the Malaysian-Thai border. An officer from the General Operations Force (GOF) walked out of the guard post and motioned them to lower the window.

"Sepuluh ringgit, cepat, cepat (RM10, hurry, hurry)," whispered the man, who extended his hand inside the vehicle and glanced nervously at the other vehicles behind, stated the news report by New Straits Times.

The same van crew managed to get through customs with contraband cargo and other taxable goods by offering a RM50 bribe ($20), and there was even pre-arrangement with one of the 'bosses' at the Road Transport Department who gave them a 'licence to smuggle', for RM250 ($100).

At the final checkpoint, the Anti-Smuggling Unit, the van was let through with a bribe of RM50.

It is believed that these officers would earn from RM3,000 to RM5,000 a day in bribes. ($1,200 to $2,000).

The news report also mentioned that intelligence reports, backed by three years of surveillance by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, revealed that the 'buying' involved the lowest-ranking personnel right up to their bosses, with different 'rates' involved.

A source also said that the corruption is so deep-rooted that only a major shake-up of these checkpoints can rectify the problem.