SHAH ALAM: A Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) officer was charged in the Sessions Court yesterday with accepting a bribe in exchange for reducing a compound fine imposed on a company under investigation by the department’s Halal Management Division two years ago.
The accused, Amir Zubir, 45, pleaded not guilty to two charges — including an alternative charge — read before Judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin.
According to the charge sheet, Amir, serving as an assistant officer in the Halal Management Division of Jais, is accused of corruptly receiving RM8,000 from a company owner through his personal bank account.
The money was allegedly accepted as an inducement to reduce the compound fine levied against the company, which was under investigation by the Halal Management Division.
The offence falls under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of no less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000 — whichever is higher.
The father of three also faces an alternative charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code for the same offence, which carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
MACC prosecuting officer Mohd Alimi Mustapha proposed bail at RM15,000 with additional conditions: that the accused reports to the MACC office at the beginning of each month, surrenders his passport to the court, and refrains from contacting prosecution witnesses.
Defence lawyer Swinder Singh, representing Amir, requested a lower bail amount, citing his client’s 25 years of service with Jais.
He added that Amir is the sole breadwinner for his wife, three children, and his ailing 75-year-old mother.
The court set bail at RM8,000 with one surety and imposed the additional conditions as requested by the prosecution.
The case is scheduled for mention on Sept 24.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
