KUANTAN: An Immigration officer pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here on Thursday (March 20) to 22 counts of bribery involving a total of RM47,600.
The accused, Kamarul Amilin Zainal Ariffin, 39, from Temerloh Jaya, Temerloh, was charged with accepting bribes from entertainment and reflexology centre operators, as well as estate and sawmill owners in Temerloh, Raub, and Cameron Highlands, allegedly given in exchange for information about planned raids.
For the first to 10th charges, Kamarul, who served in the Temerloh Enforcement and Intelligence Division, was accused of accepting bribes ranging from RM900 to RM3,000, which were deposited into his bank account between March 28, 2018 and Sept 30, 2021.
These charges framed under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24 of the same Act, provides for 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
For the 11th to 22nd charges, Kamarul allegedly accepted bribes between RM1,000 and RM5,000, transferred online to the same bank from Jan 2, 2018 to Nov 8, 2021.
These charges, under Section 165 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
During the proceedings, Pahang MACC prosecuting officer Kamariah Seman proposed a bail of RM20,000 with one surety.
However, defence lawyer Datuk Syed Azimal Syed Abu Bakar requested a lower bail, highlighting that his client, now serving at the Kemayan Immigration Depot in Bera, has a net monthly income of RM1,800 and supports three children.
Judge Sazlina Safie then set bail at RM10,000 with one surety, ordered the accused to surrender his passport to the court, and fixed April 29 for next mention. - Bernama
