IPOH: An Ipoh City Council town planning unit assistant officer was fined RM3,000 by the Sessions Court here for soliciting money from a business owner.
Syed Nazarudin Syed Mohamed Taib, 53, pleaded guilty after the charge, under Section 165 of the Penal Code, was read to him before judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi yesterday.
He was said to have accepted RM2,000 from one Chong Yin Mei at about 5.30pm on Aug 22, 2024, as payment to extend the period to vacate her landscaping business premises in Taman Merdeka from two months to one year.
Syed Nazarudin was arrested by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers after a report was lodged by Chong the same day.
Chong was said to have been under investigation by Syed Nazarudin for renovations at her premises that were done without a planning permit.
On Aug 12, 2024, Syed Nazarudin, accompanied by a colleague, went to Chong’s premises to investigate the matter.
He allegedly contacted Chong again later that day, asking her to come to the city council headquarters with regard to the investigation.
On Aug 15, Syed Nazarudin went to the premises to inform Chong that a notice would be issued to vacate the place within two months or she would face a fine.
The accused told Chong that he could extend the period to six months, but that she would be required to pay RM2,000.
On Aug 21, the accused visited Chong again to solicit payment, saying the period could be extended to one year and that no actions would be taken during this time.
Syed Nazarudin, who was unrepresented, paid the fine.
