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Four additional enforcement assistants from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (Customs) were arraigned today in the Sessions Court for allegedly accepting bribes totaling RM39,800.
The defendants, Alias Mat Yusop, 48; Mohd Rizal Othman, 43; Mohd Shahril Mohd Sukaimi, 39; and Mohd Hanafie Che Mat, 39, all pleaded not guilty to the charges before Judge Anita Harun.
The specifics of the charges are as follows: Mohd Rizal faces nine counts of accepting bribes ranging from RM200 to RM2,300 between February and April 2017. Mohd Hanafie is charged with 10 counts of receiving bribes between RM150 and RM3,600 from June 2020 to January 2023. Mohd Shahril is accused of 26 counts of accepting bribes ranging from RM200 to RM2,000 between April 2018 and April 2023. Alias faces four charges of accepting bribes between RM500 and RM1,500 from June 2019 to July 2022.
The alleged offenses took place at various bank branches located at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Kajang, Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, and Bandar Puchong Jaya. The accused allegedly received these bribes from the owner of Kalos Enterprise through online transfers to their respective bank accounts. The bribes were reportedly given as an inducement to avoid inspecting the company’s cargo lorries transporting goods out of KLIA Cargo.
These charges fall under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which stipulates a maximum jail term of 20 years and a possible fine upon conviction.
The prosecution was represented by Deputy Public Prosecutors Muhammad Asraf Mohamed Tahir, Nurul Atiqah Mohamad Alias, and Maziah Mohaide. Lawyer Ridha Abdah Subri represented Mohd Rizal, while Muhammad Aizat Fakri represented the other three accused.
The court granted bail at RM15,000 each for Mohd Rizal and Mohd Hanafie, while Mohd Shahril and Alias were allowed bail of RM10,000 and RM8,000 respectively, each in one surety. Additionally, the court ordered all accused to surrender their passports and report to the MACC office in Putrajaya monthly until the case is resolved. They are also prohibited from contacting or interfering with prosecution witnesses.
The court has set July 11 for the re-mention of the case. This follows May 28 proceedings, where the same four Customs enforcement assistants, arrested during Ops Samba 2.0, were charged with receiving bribes amounting to RM39,750 from the same company to avoid inspecting lorries carrying goods from KLIA cargo.
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