KANGAR: A Customs assistant enforcement officer today claimed trial to two counts of soliciting and accepting RM3,000 bribe from a fisherman while his colleague pleaded not guilty to abetting him.
The bribe from fisherman Mohd Anizal Abdul Kasli, 46, was an inducement not to report him to the Malaysia Fisheries Department
Both accused were attached to the Kuala Perlis Marine Customs Department.
Khairul Paizi Ahmad, 49, was alleged to have solicited the money from Anizal via a text message about 12.06pm on June 13 last year.
The money was an inducement not to report Anizal to the Malaysia Fisheries Department, which may lead to him losing the benefits of subsidised diesel supply and fishing equipment from the department, and may also have his vessel licence revoked.
Khairul Paizi also claimed trial to a second charge of receiving RM3,000 bribe from Anizal at Bukit Kubu recreational park in Kuala Perlis about 1.55pm on the same day.
Malaysian Anti Corrupion Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor A. Haafizh Abu Bakar proposed the court to set the bail at RM15,000 for both charges.
The accused, who was not represented, pleaded for a lower bail as he had a wife and five children to support.
Judge Rusita Md Lazim fixed the bail at RM10,000 for both charges with one surety.
In the same court, Khairul Paizi's colleague Hizir Said, 43, claimed trial to abetting the former in soliciting and accepting the bribe.
A. Haafizh proposed bail at RM10,000 but the accused pleaded for a lower amount as he had to support his parents who were in poor health.
Rusita set bail at RM7,000 with one surety and fixed both cases for mention on Nov 22.