JOHOR BARU: A police inspector and two policemen claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to six charges of allegedly accepting bribes amounting to RM12,300 to avoid taking action against lorries transporting oil palm fruit some two years ago.
The accused, Insp Deris Jerman, 43, Kpl Mohd Fahmee Mohd Top, 37, and Lans/Kpl Muhammad Taufiyqul Hakim Mohd Zaki, 29, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Sessions Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail here on Tuesday (Aug 26).
According to the charge sheets, Insp Deris and Kpl Mohd Fahmee faced five counts of agreeing to receive and obtaining bribes from three individuals as inducement not to seize lorries and to refrain from taking action under the Road Transport Act 1987.
The offences were allegedly committed at KM26 along Jalan Nitar in Mersing, and at a bank in Mersing between 3pm and 5.52pm on Nov 30, 2023.
Both men were charged under Section 16(a)(A) and Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Meanwhile, Lans/Kpl Muhammad Taufiyqul was charged with soliciting a bribe of RM800 as inducement not to seize a lorry and to avoid taking action under the Road Transport Act 1987.
He allegedly committed the offence at KM26 along Jalan Nitar in Mersing at about 12.30pm on Nov 19, 2023.
The charge was framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries similar penalties of up to 20 years in jail and a fine of at least five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
During mitigation, lawyer Mohd Azlan Shah Mohd Allias, who represented the three accused urged the court to impose minimum bail, arguing that they were not flight risks as they were still in service.
“Deris has served for 25 years and received an excellent service award, while Mohd Fahmee has served for 17 years and Muhammad Taufiyqul for nine years.
“All are married with family dependents and had fully cooperated with the MACC throughout the investigation,” he said.
Ahmad Kamal Arifin then granted bail of RM10,000 each for Insp Deris and Kpl Mohd Fahmee, while Lans/Kpl Muhammad Taufiyqul was granted RM6,000 bail.
He also set Sept 30 for case mention and submission of documents.
MACC Deputy Public Prosecutor Alice Voon Mei Ling prosecuted the case.
