A senior police officer in Kuantan has pleaded not guilty to 46 charges of accepting bribes totaling RM70,600 from 2019 to early 2023. Former Temerloh district police chief, Mohd Azhar Mohd Yusoff, aged 53, made his plea before Judge Datuk Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain in the Sessions Court. The reading of the charges by two interpreters took approximately one hour.
Mohd Azhar is accused of receiving amounts ranging from RM100 to RM5,600, which were transferred to his bank account from various individuals and companies connected to his official responsibilities, such as ignoring violations by foreign workers and businesses operating outside of permitted hours. The alleged offenses took place between March 2019 and January 2023 at the Temerloh District Police Headquarters.
Charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, the police officer could face a maximum imprisonment of two years, a fine, or both if convicted. Additionally, Mohd Azhar pleaded not guilty to 46 alternative charges under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine equal to five times the bribe’s value or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Bail was granted to the accused in the amount of RM25,000 with one surety. The court also ordered Mohd Azhar to surrender his passport, report to a MACC office monthly, and refrain from intimidating witnesses involved in the case. The next court hearing, for submission of documents and case management, is scheduled for November 15.
The deputy public prosecutors from MACC, Ahmad Feisal Mohd Azmi, Rasyidah Murni Azmi, and Rifah Izzati Abdul Mutalif, conducted the prosecution. The defense was represented by lawyers Datuk Bob S Arumugam and Najib Zakaria.
– Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
