Pic by Abdul Rahemang Taiming
TAWAU: The chief manager of a state government agency was fined RM15,000 by the Special Corruption Court here today after pleading guilty to accepting bribes amounting to RM8,110 five years ago.
The sentence was handed down by Judge Jason Juga after the accused, Ahmad Rudi Abd Rashid, 50, admitted guilt to the alternative charge read to him and he was found guilty under Section 26 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act (MACC) 2009.
According to the alternative charge sheet, the accused had conducted dealings involving a sum of cash amounting to RM8,110, in violation of Section 23 of the MACC Act.
The accused received the sum from an individual who is the owner of the Putramas Contractor company, Mohamad Sadeed Mohamad Said.
The act took place at the People's Housing Project (PPR) in Bubul Ria, Semporna, at 5.30pm on Feb 26, 2019.
For the offence, the accused was charged under Section 26 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or both.
Based on the facts of the case, Ahmad Rudi, as a public officer holding the position of Assistant Economic Affairs Officer Grade E29, who served as chief manager at the Farmers' Organisation Area (PPK) Semporna, was accused of approving Payment Voucher number BB021900065 amounting to RM8,110 to the company owned by Mohamad Sadeed for the payment of Provision of Needs for a visit to meeting involving 30 people from Oct 28 to 31, 2018, despite the fact that the accused himself performed the work.
The prosecution was led by MACC Prosecutor Norsham Saharom, while the accused was represented by lawyer Dominic Chew Ban Huat.
Earlier, Chew requested a lenient fine based on several arguments presented, including the fact that his client's guilty plea not only saved the Court's time but also showed remorse for his actions besides expressing a desire for repentance.
"He never thought that his actions were an offence under the MACC Act 2009, as he only intended to retrieve his RM8,110 that he had previously advanced to ensure the success of the official visit," he said.
"This is our client's first offence, and he has no previous record of wrongdoing. Moreover, he has never faced any disciplinary action throughout his tenure of service, having received the Excellent Service Award from 2004 to 2012 and the Sabah State Medal of Merit (Kinabalu Order Member) in 2016," he added.
The Court, however, also ordered the accused to serve a five-month jail term if he fails to pay the fine.
The accused paid the fine accordingly.