Pekan cop claims trial to bribery charges

KUANTAN: A policeman with the rank of sergeant pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to two charges of accepting bribes amounting to RM2,000, last year.

Mohd Ridhuan Kasah (rpt: Kasah), 43, who is attached to the Pekan District Police Headquarters (IPD) about 48 kilometres from here, entered the plea before Judge Datuk Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain.

The accused allegedly received the bribes on 18 and 19 Sept, 2020 at the Pekan IPD investigating officer''s room as well as at a restaurant, with each transaction involving RM1,000, from a male suspect as an inducement for the accused not to take legal action against him.

He was charged under Section 17 (a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and punishable under Section 24 of the same act which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.

His counsel Muhammad Saifuldin Ab Rahman appealed for bail of RM10,000 offered by MACC Prosecuting Officer Kamariah Seman to be reduced on the grounds that the accused with a monthly income of around RM1,500 supports a family with four school-going children.

"He has served for 22 years and it is understood that this is the first time he has been charged with corruption. The accused, who will be bailed by his wife, promises to be present every time the hearing is held," he said.

Ahmad Zamzani allowed bail at RM7,000 with one surety for both charges on condition that the accused report to the nearest police station once every month and set March 31 for re-mention.

-- BERNAMA