Chin (left) and Suhairon being led into the Sessions Court on Tuesday (May 28). - Photo courtesy of Sinar Harian
KUALA LUMPUR: Two senior police officers from Bukit Aman's Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) have pleaded not guilty to charges involving graft of RM1.25mil at the Sessions Court on Tuesday (May 28).
The officers, Asst Comm Chin Khiam Kong, 54, the senior assistant director of CCID's Forensic Accounting Investigations unit, and Deputy Supt Suhairon Abdullah, 42, the head of the Cryptocurrency Crime Investigation section, are accused of accepting bribes to close an investigation involving a businessman linked to cryptocurrency used to purchase firearms by an Israeli citizen.
Both officers entered their pleas after the charges were read to them before Judge Azura Alwi.
According to the charges, Chin and Suhairon are accused of agreeing to receive a RM1mil bribe from Khoo Zixian, 28, to terminate a criminal investigation into Khoo, related to a case under Section 120 of the Penal Code (a national security case).
The alleged offence took place in the meeting room of CCID's Forensic Accounting/Cryptocurrency unit and the parking lot of Menara KPJ, Jalan Tun Razak, from noon until 4.40pm on April 8. The charges were framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, read in conjunction with Section 34 of the Penal Code, and carries a potential jail sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of either five times the bribery amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.
Additionally, Chin faces two more charges of agreeing to receive RM250,000 from Khoo as an inducement related to an offence under Section 420 of the Penal Code (cheating case). These alleged offences occurred at Menara KPJ at 12.30pm on April 18 and at 10.30am the following day. These charges are also framed under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act.
During the proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Syed Faisal Syed Amir requested bail of RM100,000 with one surety each for both accused, along with the condition that they surrender their passports to the court.
"The offence by both accused is very serious as it involves more than RM1mil, making this request appropriate," he stated.
However, Chin's lawyer, Jacky Loi Yap Loong, appealed for a lower bail amount, citing his client's 29 years of service to the nation. Suhairon's lawyer, Ridha Abdah Subri, also argued for lower bail, noting his client's 20 years of service and lack of flight risk.
After considering the arguments, Judge Azura set bail at RM40,000 each with one or two sureties, along with the prosecutor's additional condition.
The court has set July 30 for mention of the case.
