TAWAU: The leader of the online gambling and illegal lottery syndicate known as "Kumpulan Sabah97" was fined RM6,600 at the Tawau Special Corruption Sessions Court today after pleading guilty to four charges of failing to report bribes totaling RM1,100 three years ago.
Judge Jason Juga delivered the sentence after the accused, Tai Nyuk Kong, 45, admitted his guilt and was convicted under Section 25(3) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
According to the first charge, the accused failed to report a bribe of RM200 given to a police sergeant as a reward for not interfering with illegal lottery ticket sales activities in the Tawau district.
For the second charge, the accused was charged with the same offence, involving a RM200 bribe to a police lance corporal as an inducement to not interfere with illegal lottery ticket sales activities in the Sime Darby, Imam Estate Tawau area.
The third charge involved a similar offence where a RM500 bribe was given to a police sergeant major as a reward for not interfering with illegal lottery ticket sales activities in the Tawau district.
Meanwhile, the fourth charge involved a RM200 bribe given to a police lance corporal as inducement to not interfere with illegal lottery ticket sales activities in the Tawau district.
All the offences were committed at various banks in Lahad Datu and Tawau between May and June 2021.
The accused was found guilty under Section 25(3) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and could be punished under Section 25(4) of the same act, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years or both if convicted.
Earlier, the accused, who was unrepresented, appealed for a lenient sentence, citing that he is supporting five young children and caring for an elderly mother with diabetes.
The accused paid the fine.