A POLICE sergeant pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court in Kuantan today to two charges of accepting bribes totalling RM2,000, last year.

Mohd Ridhuan Kasah, 43, based at Pekan police headquarters, entered the plea before Judge Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain.

Ridhuan is accused of received the bribes on September 18-19, 2020, in the investigating officer’s room at the headquarters, as well as at a restaurant, with each transaction involving RM1,000, from a male suspect as an inducement for the accused not to take legal action against him.

Ridhuan was charged under Section 17 (a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24 of the same act, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.

Ridhuan’s counsel Muhammad Saifuldin Ab Rahman appealed for bail of RM10,000 offered by MACC Prosecuting Officer Kamariah Seman to be reduced on the grounds that the accused with a monthly income of around RM1,500 supports a family with four children still in school.

“He has served for 22 years and it is understood that this is the first time he has been charged with corruption. The accused, who will be bailed by his wife, promises to be present every time the hearing is held,” he said.

Zamzani set bail at RM7,000 with one surety for both charges on condition that the accused report to the nearest police station once every month and set March 31 for next mention of the case. – Bernama, March 10, 2021.