Two policemen get two years’ jail, RM30,000 fine for corruption

SHAH ALAM: Two policemen were yesterday sentenced to two years imprisonment and RM30,000 fine or another six months’ jail each, after being found guilty of attempting to solicit RM6,000 from a man, five years ago.

Sessions Court judge Asmadi Hussin ruled that the defence had failed to cast any reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case against L/C Joe Stephen, 31, and constable Mohd Farid Che Aziz, 33.

Seventeen prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses were called during the trial.

The duo attempted to solicit RM6,000 from Lee Yong Hock as an inducement to release him from being ‘wanted by police’ and refrain from taking action against him for alleged possession of a smuggled vehicle.

Joe and Mohd farid who were based at Klang Selatan District Police headquarters committed the offence at the Pandamaran, Klang police station parking lot, around 4.30am on April 3, 2012.

Meanwhile, the policemen who were represented by counsel V. Rajehgopal, obtained a stay of their sentences pending an appeal to the High Court but were ordered to pay their respective fines today.

The judge also raised the bail amount from RM15,000 to RM20,000 each, and ordered them to report to the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) office in Shah Alam on every first Monday of the month until disposal of the appeal.

Earlier in mitigation, Rajehgopal said Joe had been serving the Royal Malaysian Police since May 1, 2005, while Mohd Farid who had been with the police force since Dec 1, 2005 was married and had two school-going children.

Counsel said his two clients who had been suspended from work since 2012 did not have any previous conviction, had repented and were remorseful of their action.

However, MACC deputy public prosecutor Mohammed Heikal Ismail contended that the duo were involved in a crime which is the country’s number one enemy.

Therefore, said DPP, the duo should be handed a punishment that would serve as a lesson and reminder to other civil servants against corruption.

“The prosecution is likeminded with the MACC chief commissioner’s mission to eradicate corruption among civil servants within two years,” he submitted.

On Jan 20 last year, the same court acquitted Joe and Mohd Farid at the end of the prosecution’s case without calling for their defence.

Bu the prosecution appealed to the High Court against the ruling.

On Dec 14 last year, the high court granted the appeal and ordered the case to be remitted to the Sessions Court for trial. — Bernama