Kuala lumpur: A police inspector entered a plea of not guilty in the Sessions Court today to multiple charges involving bribery and fraud amounting to a total of RM5,300.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Syazuwan Jemaan, aged 32, stood before Judge Azman Mustapha to face allegations of accepting RM300 and soliciting RM4,000 from a woman. The solicitation, allegedly intended to release her from police remand and avoid charging her for a commercial crime, is a serious accusation under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. Conviction under this act could result in a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of either five times the bribe's value or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Furthermore, Mohamad Syazuwan faces a third charge under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 for attempting to obtain RM4,000 in cash as an inducement to abstain from prosecuting the woman. Conviction on this charge carries a similar maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a fine as stipulated by the act.
The alleged offences took place within the Investigating Officer's Room of the Commercial Crime Investigation Division at the Dungun District Police Headquarters. The incidents reportedly occurred on January 26 at 9 am, February 3 at 5.20 pm, and February 5 at 2.15 pm.
Mohamad Syazuwan also faces charges of deceiving a woman into providing RM1,000 in cash for bail to release her sister from police custody, despite no bail requirement. This offence purportedly happened between 10.15 am and 12.30 pm on January 21 at the same location. The charge is filed under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
The court granted bail at RM12,000 with one surety for all charges. Mohamad Syazuwan is required to report monthly to the nearest MACC office, is barred from owning or applying for a passport during the case, and must not interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The case prosecution was led by MACC Deputy Public Prosecutor Rabiatul Addawiyah Mohd Noorlee, while Mohamad Syazuwan was represented by lawyer Nur Jawahir Mohd Zulmajdi. The court has scheduled April 15 for the mention and submission of documents.