KUALA LUMPUR: An administrative assistant has been sentenced by the Sessions Court here to a RM5,500 fine for accepting a valuable object worth RM4,797.50 from a person connected to her line of work.
Nurul Azirah Kamaruddin, 36, was charged with receiving the valuable object, without consideration, from Khairolmiza Zamri at a Maybank branch at Jalan 53, Desa Jaya, Kepong on April 21 2018.
The charge sheet stated that Nurul Azirah, who was working as an administrative assistant at the time, was fully aware of Khairolmiza's connection to her official duties at the time.
The charge was framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum punishment of up to two years' imprisonment, or a fine, or both.
Nurul Azirah was seen shedding tears as she pleaded guilty as her husband and one of their children watched from the public gallery at the Sessions Court here on Monday (June 19).
Nurul Azirah's lawyer Hamdan Hamzah asked the court to not impose a jail sentence on his client and proposed a fine of RM4,000 instead.
He said his client had pleaded guilty, which displayed her willingness to atone for her actions.
He further explained that his client was currently caring for five schooling children, one of whom was autistic.
"Expenses to care for her autistic child alone currently cost up to RM1,500 a month with my client's monthly income currently only at RM3,000 while her husband's is at RM3,800."
He said besides this one incident, his client had been performing her civil duties well, stating that she had gotten a letter of commendation for her services in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
"This is the first crime committed by my client and my client has proven that she is a diligent worker through her achievements," he added.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Natrah Fareha Rahmat then proposed a fine of RM10,000, arguing that Nurul Azirah had tarnished the reputation of civil servants and her office through her actions.
Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin then meted Nurul Azirah's punishment and ordered her to serve a year in jail if she failed to pay the fine.
