KUALA LUMPUR: The remand of three police personnel who were held in connection with the alleged cash theft of RM85,000 has been extended to Friday (Dec 29).

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the remand extension is to enable the investigation to be completed before it is referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.

"We immediately launched an investigation upon receiving the information on the incident before detaining the three personnel. There is no issue of wanting to protect the police personnel involved in the alleged crime.

"We will not tolerate any wrongdoing. If there is any report, we will investigate.

"If there is a basis, we will detain those involved, there will be no cover up," he told a press conference in Bukit Aman on Tuesday (Dec 26).

Despite the arrests of the trio, Ayob Khan said it will not deter the police from launching more operations against hotspots for foreigners.

On Sunday, it was reported that three policemen involved in Thursday's large scale operation in Jalan Silang were arrested for robbing a shop lot in the area.

The three suspects were believed to have walked away with RM85,000 that they found in one of the premises there.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid confirmed the matter, saying that investigations were launched after the complainant lodged a police report on Dec 22.

The three suspects were initially remanded from Dec 23 till Dec 26.

More than 1,000 enforcement personnel conducted a massive screening operation on Jalan Silang here on Dec 21, a known gathering point for foreigners in the city.

The police, primarily General Operations Force personnel, and other agencies raided four blocks of shops and cordoned off the area as they rounded up offenders.

The operation was staged to curb illegal activities and screen businesses either owned by or employing foreigners to ensure their operations are legitimate.