KUALA LUMPUR: An immigration officer today claimed trial to money laundering and bribery charges totalling RM230,990 involving the passage of foreign nationals through an airport.
Yusrazif Wan Yusoh, 41, who was detained in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) sting operation called 'Ops Selat', was charged in two separate Sessions Courts.
The accused was first charged before judge Rozina Ayob, with one count of accepting RM215,990 which were proceeds from illegal activities from one Yuen Hon Loong.
According to the charge sheet, the money was then deposited into a bank account belonging to Yuen.
Yusrazif allegedly committed the offence at Alliance Islamic Bank Bhd, Putrajaya branch in Putrajaya between Feb 27, 2019 and Nov 13, last year.
The charge framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and punishable under Section 4(1) of the same law, and provides for imprisonment of up to 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the proceeds of unlawful activity, or RM5 million, whichever is higher, if found guilty.
Yusrazif was later brought before judge Suzana Hussin to face five counts of accepting a total of RM15,000 in bribes for himself from two individuals, namely Voon Pot Lim and Yuen, both of whom were related to the accused's official duty.
The bribes were in relation to the immigration clearance of Filipino and China nationals through the immigration counter at the departure hall of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2).
He allegedly committed the offences between Oct 28 and Nov 16, 2020.
The offences under Section 165 of the Penal Code carry a maximum two years' jail, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Nor Diana Nor Azwa offered RM100,000 bail for all the accused's charges in both courts.
She also proposed additional conditions which were for the passport of the accused to be handed over to the court, and for the accused to report to the MACC office once a month.
In pleading for lower bail, counsel Azrul Zulkifli Stork, who represented the accused, said his client, who is a father of four, has to support and care for his family members.
The judge then allowed Yusrazif RM55,000 bail in one surety and imposed the additional conditions earlier proposed by the prosecution.
Both of Yusrazif's cases will be jointly tried before Suzana.
His case will be up for mention on Feb 18.
Ops Selat is a special operation conducted with the assistance of the Immigration Department based on intelligence and surveillance at the country's entry and exit points, especially at KLIA, klia2 and Bangunan Sultan Ismail Johor Baru.