Engineer held for alleged RM700k graft

JOHOR BARU: An assistant mechanical engineer from Maktab Teknik PDRM Bakri in Muar has been detained for alleged graft amounting to RM700,000.

The 42-year-old suspect is believed to have requested and accepted bribes from a contractor as an inducement to secure supply and service tenders at the institution from 2014 to 2016.

The suspect was detained at his home in Merlimau to facilitate investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

During a raid on the suspect’s home, the MACC team recovered RM32,000 in cash hidden in a biscuit container.

MACC officers also seized valuables and a Toyota Prado.

In an unrelated case in Kuala Lumpur, the High Court maintained a four-year jail sentence and a RM20,000 fine imposed on a police sergeant found guilty of bribery.

High Court judge Justice Nordin Hassan said the court did not find any reason to disturb the findings of the Sessions Court against Sjn Muhamad Sofri Talib.

The 38-year-old was appealing against his conviction and sentence by the lower court on two counts of soliciting and accepting a bribe four years ago.

The court also allowed a stay of execution pending an appeal at the Court of Appeal.

Muhamad Sofri, who is currently suspended, was found guilty of two counts of soliciting and accepting a RM2,000 bribe from a businessman as an inducement to release the man’s son who was arrested for allegedly causing hurt with a dangerous weapon and for creating mischief, as well as to close the investigation papers.