SHAH ALAM: An enforcement officer was sentenced to four months' jail and fined RM10,000 yesterday for soliciting RM150 bribe from a student four years ago.

The Sessions Court found Ramdzan Abd Rahim, 33, guilty of soliciting the bribe from Mohd Khairol Khelmi Mat Jani, 26, who is now a teacher, at a KFC Restaurant in Kompleks PKNS here at 3.55pm on May 9, 2004.

The money was an inducement not to take action against Mohd Khairol and Puteri Nur Hazwani Megat Mohd Fouzi who were said to be behaving indecently in public.

In sentencing, judge Azimah Omar said although the amount involved was only RM150, what the accused did was a despicable act which should be curbed.

"Corruption is a serious offence and it could affect the image of our government institutions."
Azimah ordered the jail term to begin from yesterday and also imposed a further six-month jail term if the fine was not paid.

In mitigation, counsel Zainal Ithnin pleaded for leniency saying Ramdzan was unemployed.

"His wife is working as a salesgirl and is supporting their four children," he said.

Anti-Corruption Agency prosecuting officer Mohd Ahsan Ab Latif pressed for a deterrent sentence to reflect the severity of the offence.

"A clear message must be sent to the public.

"Corruption is serious and will not be tolerated," he said.

Azimah granted Ramdzan stay of execution pending appeal. She, however, raised his bail from RM3,500 to RM10,000.