TAWAU: A Road Transport Department assistant enforcer was fined RM2,000 or two months’ jail by the Special Corruption Sessions Court here, Tuesday, after confessing to receiving an RM1,200 bribe four years ago.
Mahasan Nordin, 37, pleaded guilty to the alternative charge read before Judge Jason Juga.
He was charged with collecting RM1,200 from one, Tia Ngee Lun, 46, at 4pm at the Lahad Datu Road Transport Department on Feb 28, 2020.
The man is the owner of Sumbermas Trading’s lorry, which was confiscated by the Lahad Datu Road Transport Department for violating Sections 23 (1) and 90 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
The civil servant on duty at the seizing unit was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum two-year jail sentence, a fine, or both if convicted.
On Feb 8, last year, Mahasan pleaded not guilty to two counts under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009, which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the Act.
In the proceeding on Tuesday, MACC Prosecuting Officer Norsham Saharom requested the court to hand down a harsh sentence on the grounds of public interest because the case involved Road Transport Department enforcers.
“He failed to carry out the duties entrusted as a civil servant and at the same time tarnished his reputation in the eyes of the public when the case occurs among civil servants,” he said.
Earlier, counsel Edward Paul, who represented Mahasan, requested that his client be fined only RM2,000 due to his financial position.
According to him, his client started his job as a civil servant in 2019 and has contributed to the community; nevertheless, after being accused in court, his client received just half of his income and was suspended.
He added that his client received a demand letter from Bank Islam over the previous personal loan he made.
“Both his elderly parents are financially dependent on him … after today, my client will lose his job at the Road Transport Department and this is good enough to teach him a lesson,” he said, requesting that the court give his client a second chance.
