Illegal gift: Nurul Azirah leaving the courthouse after being fined. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: An administrative assistant has been fined RM5,500 by the Sessions Court for accepting a valuable item in the line of duty.
Nurul Azirah Kamaruddin, 36, was charged with taking the item worth RM4,797.50 from one Khairolmiza Zamri at a Maybank branch in Jalan 53, Desa Jaya, Kepong, on April 21, 2018.
She wept as she pleaded guilty before judge Suzana Hussin yesterday.
The charge was framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine or both, upon conviction.
Lawyer Hamdan Hamzah asked the court not to impose a jail sentence and proposed a fine of RM4,000 instead.
He noted that his client had pleaded guilty immediately, which showed her willingness to accept the consequences of her actions.
Furthermore, he said his client has five children, one of whom is autistic.
“Expenses to care for her autistic child alone cost up to RM1,500 a month. My client’s monthly income is only RM3,000 while her husband earns RM3,800,” he said.
He said Nurul Azirah had been doing well in her job, noting that she had received a letter of commendation for her services in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
“She has proven that she is a diligent worker through her achievements,” he said, adding that this was the first crime ever committed by her.
Deputy public prosecutor Natrah Fareha Rahmat proposed a fine of RM10,000, saying that Nurul Azirah had tarnished the reputation of civil servants and her office through her actions.
