Corruption: Cop’s two-year jail sentence upheld

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court yesterday upheld a twoyear jail sentence and RM20,000 fine imposed on Police Sergeant Muhamad Sofri Talib who was found guilty on two counts of demanding and receiving bribes from a businessman.

Judge Datuk Nordin Hassan made the decision after rejecting the appeal from Muhamad Sofri, 38, against the conviction and sentence imposed by the Sessions Court last year.

However, the court allowed the application by the policeman who was represented by counsel Afifudin Hafifi to postpone the implementation of the sentence while awaiting appeal at the Appeals Court.

In his judgement, Nordin said the statement of defence by the appellant (Muhamad Sofri) was merely a denial and that he had failed to refute the charges against him.

“Based on the evidence adduced, there is no reason to overturn the decision made by the Sessions Court judge, and the explanation given by the appellant of the telephone conversation with the first prosecution witness (businessman) who was unclear about the time and place to meet as well as the amount of money, held no merit,” he said.

On March 21, 2016, Sessions Court Judge Mohd Nasir Nordin imposed a sentence of two years’ jail and RM10,000 fine on each of the two charges against Muhammad Sofri for demanding and receiving bribes.

The court ordered the two sentences be carried out concurrently.

Muhamad Sofri, who has been suspended from duty, was charged with committing the offence as inducement to release the businessman’s son who was arrested under Section 324 (a) and Section 427 with police surety, and close the investigation papers.

On the first charge, he was accused of demanding a bribe of RM2,000 at the office of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Jalan Cochrane here at 7.15pm on June 10, 2013.

On the second charge, he was accused of accepting a bribe of RM2,000 at the MH Curry House Restaurant in Cheras here at 10.50pm on June 10, 2013.

The charge under Section 17 (a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 provides for a prison sentence of up to 20 years and fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Abdul Rashid Sulaiman. Bernama