JOHOR BARU – A businessman today pleaded not guilty at the sessions court here to offering RM45,000 in bribes to a police officer last week.
Samudin Kambali, 47, claimed trial after the charge was read out before judge Kamarudin Kamsun.
According to the charge sheet, Samudin offered bribes to the cop, who serves with the Johor police contingent headquarters, as an inducement so that the accused and his 65 friends would not need to undergo a urine test and have action taken against them under Article 10 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (No. 7) 2020 during a raid on an entertainment outlet in Ulu Tiram at 12.35am on Wednesday.
He was charged under Section 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act 2009, which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same act.
The accused faces a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of up to five times the amount of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
The court allowed bail at RM15,000 with one surety, and ordered Samudin to surrender his passport, as well as report to the MACC office at the beginning of each month.
Kamarudin set January 20 for mention.
MACC prosecuting officer Suhaili Sapun prosecuted, while the accused was represented by counsel Mohammad Muzammil Hairiri. – Bernama, December 7, 2020
