BUTTERWORTH: A former police officer with the rank of Assistant Superintendent was fined RM8,000 by the Sessions Court here today after pleading guilty to accepting bribes totalling RM40,000 in 2018.
Judge Zulhazmi Abdullah delivered the verdict after Ameyrudin Ahmad Zuki, 43, admitted to the charges against him.
Additionally, the court ruled that failure to pay the fine would result in a three-month imprisonment.
According to the charge, Ameyrudin, who served at the Seberang Perai Tengah Criminal Investigation Department's Legal Division, unlawfully received RM40,000 in cash from an individual connected to his official duties.
The incident occurred at the parking lot of Midtown Perda Restaurant in Bukit Mertajam on August 3, 2018.
Ameyrudin was prosecuted under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Maziah Mohaide from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), while Ameyrudin was represented by lawyer Y. Yogeswaran.
During the hearing, Maziah advocated for a stringent punishment to serve as a deterrent, emphasising that corruption tarnished the reputation of law enforcement agencies like the police.
Additionally, the prosecution requested the forfeiture of RM20,000 seized as evidence under Section 40(1)(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
In defence, Yogeswaran sought a minimal fine, citing Ameyrudin's unemployment status and responsibilities towards his three school-going children and elderly mother.
"The accused has no record of past offences and this is the first offence he has committed. He has repented and has been remanded before," he said.
It is understood that Ameyrudin paid the fine.
Reporters attempting to photograph him after the proceedings were unsuccessful as he quickly left the court premises, accompanied by unidentified individuals.