Cop freed of one graft charge but fined for another

JOHOR BARU: A police inspector was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal after he pleaded guilty to an amended charge of agreeing to accept a RM3,000 bribe to cover up a car accident involving a fatality, four years ago.

Insp Mohd Shulul Azmil Shuaibon, 34, was charged yesterday with agreeing to accept the money from Azman Mat Zain, 46, who was involved in the accident along Jalan Pantai, near Taman Sri Stulang, on Nov 5, 2012.

He was accused of committing the offence at the Johor Baru South traffic police headquarters at about 5.25pm on Jan 15 last year.

However, on another charge of soliciting for the bribe, Sessions judge Mohamad Haldar Abdul Aziz slapped the accused with a RM10,000 fine, in default six months’ jail.

On April 13 this year, Insp Mohd Shulul claimed trial when he was charged under Section 16(a)(B) and Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act with two counts of soliciting and accepting a bribe.

Counsel Rosli Kamaruddin had pleaded for a lighter sentence, saying Insp Mohd Shulul had two young children to look after.

“My client has been cooperating with MACC throughout the investigations and never failed to show up in court throughout the process.

“He even signed a letter stating that he will never commit any crime,” Rosli said, adding that Insp Mohd Shulul had been with the force since 2006 and never had any disciplinary record.

The prosecution was conducted by MACC officer Ridzuan Abd Malik.

Insp Mohd Shulul paid the fine.