THE Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Prolintas, Rostam Shahrif Tami, was fined RM100,000 by the Sessions Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to failing to report a RM90,000 bribe related to a work package under the Sungai Besi–Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) project.
The offence, which took place on 20 February 2023, involved Rostam receiving a bribe from Satunas Technologies Sdn Bhd in relation to a project titled ‘To Construct End Cap Stressing and Shear Block’. The payment was allegedly made at a restaurant in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong.
The charge was framed under Section 25(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a penalty of up to RM100,000, imprisonment for up to ten years, or both.
Judge Rosli Ahmad imposed the maximum fine after considering both the mitigating arguments presented by the defence and the prosecution’s emphasis on public interest.
Defence counsel Zulkifli Ahmad told the court that his client had agreed to surrender all seized assets linked to the investigation. These included nearly RM1 million in cash, a RM114,000 bond covering seven luxury watches and two vehicles registered under Rostam’s daughter’s name, as well as RM180,000 in savings in a Tabung Haji account.
In mitigation, Rostam appealed for a non-custodial sentence, citing his responsibility to support five children, ongoing health issues related to hypertension, and a clean employment record with Prolintas since 1998. He also expressed remorse for his actions and the damage caused to his personal reputation.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Diana Nor Azwa, however, urged the court to impose a punishment that reflects the seriousness of the offence, stressing that it served as a deterrent and a matter of public interest. - June 25, 2025
