KUALA LUMPUR: A Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforcement assistant was fined RM13,000 by the Sessions Court here today after pleading guilty to five charges of accepting a total of RM1,200 in cash to protect premises operating under an "Ali Baba" licences.
Judge Azura Alwi meted out the sentence against Syahrul Riza Md Yusof, 42, after he pleaded guilty to accepting the cash from an individual whom he knew had a connection with his official duties.
All the offences were committed at the Selayang Market here between 5pm and midnight, from Dec 27, 2022 to June 20, 2023.
He was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Irna Julieza Maaras asked the court to impose a deterrent sentence to serve as a lesson to the accused, arguing that his actions in accepting bribes from others had tarnished City Hall's image and his own reputation.
"Corruption must be eradicated (and the deterrent sentence would) reflect the court's seriousness in addressing this crime," she said.
However, Syahrul Riza, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a minimum fine, saying he supports his family and has a wife suffering from a urinary tract infection.
Meanwhile, City Hall DBKL enforcement department assistant officers Muhammad Syawal Riezqan Jauhar, 28, and Amran Mat Dali, 45, were also charged with the same offence for accepting RM4,800 and RM100, respectively, from the same individual for a similar purpose.
All the offences were committed at the same location from 4.30pm to 2pm, between Oct 26, 2022, and Aug 15, 2023.
Irna Julieza and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission prosecutor Afiqah Ab Razak prosecuted while lawyer Mohd Baharuddin Ahmad Kassim represented Amran.
Suzana set RM5,000 and RM6,000 bail against Amran and Syawal Reizqan, respectively.
It was reported that Ali Baba type businesses run by foreigners were popping up nationwide like "mushrooms after rain".
Continuous enforcement efforts by local councils also seemed to have no effect in deterring them.
In truth, the operations being conducted seemed to be mere acts put on by these enforcement agencies, with seasonal and selective enforcement efforts observed.
MACC surveillance had revealed that various illegal activities in big cities nationwide were being protected by these authorities.
The "protection" also covers small-scale businesses, including hawkers and shops that are now monopolised by foreigners.