KUANTAN: The Kuantan High Court today upheld the jail sentence and fine imposed on a former magistrate who was convicted of soliciting, and accepting bribes from a trader in 2019.
Judge Datuk Mohd Radzi Harun dismissed the appeal by Mohamad Amin Shahul Hamid, 44, against the 58-year jail term and RM1.05 million fine, in default 72 months' jail, meted out by the Sessions Court here three years ago.
Amin Shahul, a former magistrate at the Lipis and Raub court, was charged with soliciting bribes amounting to RM100,000 and receiving RM110,000 from a trader in 2019.
The bribes were an inducement to not fine and jail the trader, who was then charged with possessing smuggled cigarettes.
In his judgment, Radzi said the Sessions Court judge's decision to order Amin Shahul to enter his defence for all six charges was in line with the law and the accused failed to refute all the charges.
"The Sessions Court judge's verdict at the end of the case to convict the appellant on all six charges is correct. There is no reason for the court (High Court) to interfere with the judgment meted by the Sessions Court.
"The appeal against the court's sentencing is dismissed and the verdict delivered by the Sessions Court is upheld," he said.
Radzi ordered the sentence handed down by the Sessions Court to be served from today. However, he granted a stay of execution pending Amin Shahul's appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladina asked for an additional bail of RM50,000 with one surety.
In mitigation, lawyer R. Arvend pleaded for a reduced bail, citing Amin Shahul's unemployment since his arrest in 2019.
Radzi set bail at RM50,000 with one surety today, bringing the total bail amount to RM100,000 with two sureties.
Ezuain Farhana Ahmad also appeared for prosecution while Amin Shahul was also represented by lawyer S. Arvind.
The Sessions Court found Amin Shahul guilty of six counts of corruption on March 18, 2022 and sentenced him to a total of 58 years in jail and RM1.05 million in fines. He will serve 12 years in jail as the court ordered the jail sentences to run concurrently.