Fined for turning a blind eye to sexual molest

LUMPUR: A former policewoman has been fined RM8,000 in default 40 days’ jail by the Sessions Court here for accepting a RM6,000 bribe as an inducement to close a molest case two years ago.

During sentencing, Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin told Nur Mastisha Maidinsha that she hoped the accused would repent her actions.

“Your actions will have consequences on people around you, including your young children, and not just yourself,” the judge said yesterday.

Nur Mastisha was a former police sergeant with the Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division.

She pleaded guilty to two alternative charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code.

The 39-year-old, in her capacity as an assistant investigating officer, was charged with two counts of accepting RM3,000 each on two separate occasions without consideration from a man who was linked to her official duties.

She committed the first offence at the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters at 8pm on Oct 1, 2022.

The second offence was committed at a petrol station in Cheras at 8.05pm on Oct 12, 2022.

The charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code carries imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Atiqah Mohamad Alias asked the court to impose a RM10,000 fine on the accused as a lesson.

She said the accused was “brave enough” to plead guilty, but her admission did not mean she was absolved of the crime.

“Corruption has tainted the police force’s name and marred its reputation, causing a trust deficit among the people towards the police, a trusted body to safeguard the country,” Nurul Atiqah said.

During mitigation, Nur Mastisha, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a lenient sentence.

She said that throughout her 19 years of service with the force, she had never faced disciplinary or criminal action.

“This is my first offence and I take it as a test for me.

“I ask for a lower fine as I have to support my children and I have RM4,500 monthly debts to settle.

“It would not be easy for me to get a new job,” she said.

According to the statement of facts, Nur Mastisha had offered to solve a sexual offence case without initiating an investigation and solicited the sum from a man whose son was a suspect.

She had informed the man that his son would be charged in court and had told him to prepare the sum and the dates of the handover.