Crime & Courts

Ex-syariah court judge claims trial over khalwat bribery case

IPOH: A former syariah court judge was charged at the Sessions Court here today with accepting a RM4,000 bribe from a man involved in a khalwat (close proximity) case.

Burhanuddin Ismi Adam, 43, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him before judge Ahmad Kamar Jamaludin.

According to the charge sheet, Burhanuddin Ismi had allegedly accepted RM4,000 from Muhammad Afiq Abd Majid, 39, as an inducement to drop the latter's khalwat case.

The father of three allegedly accepted the bribe at a restaurant in Desa Chemor Saujana at 11.30am on Sept 10, 2019.

The offence, under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and punishable under Section 24 of the same act, carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe received or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Maziyah Mansor requested RM10,000 bail with one surety. The accused was not represented.

During mitigation, Burhanuddin pleaded for a lower bail, citing his suspension from his position as a judge and the fact that he now receives only half of his monthly salary.

"I have three schoolgoing children and a 14-year-old child with disability, who is bedridden. If the bail is reduced, I can support their expenses."

In reply, Ahmad Kamar said the RM10,000 bail was reasonable and considered low.

The judge then set bail at RM10,000 for the charge with one surety and the case was set for mention on June 19.

During the same proceeding, a police lance corporal was also charged with abetting Burhanuddin by asking for a bribe amounting to RM4,000.

Muhamad Hamri Ayob, 34, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

The offence was allegedly committed at a fast food restaurant chain in Jalan Kuala Kangsar, Taman Tasek Mutiara here at 5.30pm on Sept 10, 2019.

He was charged under Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act.

Maziyah also proposed bail to be set at RM10,000. Hamri who was not represented, asked for a lower bail.

During mitigation, Hamri said he had been suspended from his job since May 2020 and was currently employed as a security guard.

"I only earn RM1,500 a month and I need to support four children who are still attending school. If a RM10,000 bail is imposed, it will be hard for me to manage my expense," he said.

The judge then set bail at RM10,000 with one surety and the case was set for mention on June 19.

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