Police Corporal Fined RM4,000 For Accepting Bribes

KUALA TERENGGANU, Jan 28 (Bernama) — A police corporal was fined RM4,000 by the Sessions Court today for accepting bribes as an inducement not to detain suspects in narcotics cases.  

Judge Mohd Azhar Othman sentenced Azizol Affendi Rusli, 36, after he pleaded guilty to three alternative charges.

He was fined RM2,000 for the first charge, carrying a default sentence of two months' imprisonment. For the second and third charges, he was fined RM1,000 on each count, with a default of one month's imprisonment per unpaid fine.

The allegations concern three separate incidents. On Dec 12, 2023, he allegedly accepted RM800 from a woman, transferred to his wife's CIMB bank account in Jerteh, as an inducement not to detain her daughter in a narcotics case.

Subsequently, on March 17 and April 9, 2024, he allegedly accepted RM200 and RM150, respectively, from a woman into his Bank Islam account in Jerteh, as inducements not to detain her husband, also a narcotics suspect.

The charges were framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. Azizol has since paid the fines imposed.

The prosecution was led by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) deputy public prosecutor, Rabiatul Addawiah Mohd Noorlee, assisted by prosecuting officer Fatiha Abdul Shatar. The accused was unrepresented. 

Rabiatul Addawiah urged the court to impose a substantial and commensurate sentence, arguing it was necessary both to deter the accused personally and to reflect the gravity of breaching the integrity expected of a public servant.

Mitigating on his own behalf, Azizol pleaded for leniency, citing difficult personal circumstances. He said he was the sole provider for his school-aged children and caregiver to his ailing mother, while also managing his own health issues, including diabetes and stage-one kidney disease.

Before delivering the sentence, Judge Mohd Azhar advised the policeman to reflect on his actions and henceforth conduct himself as a responsible citizen dedicated to his faith, community and nation.

-- BERNAMA