A police officer holding the rank of a corporal was accused of failing to turn up for work for more than three weeks in Johor.
The 29-year-old officer was charged at the Batu Pahat Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Oct 22) under Section 86(1) of the Police Act 1967 (Act 344).
If convicted, he faces up to 12 months in jail.
Did not apply leave
According to the charge sheet, the officer allegedly failed to report for duty at the Commercial Crime Investigation Division office at the Batu Pahat District Police Headquarters (IPD) between Sept 1 and 26.
Facts of the case revealed that he had failed to report for duty in accordance with his scheduled shifts. A review of attendance records also found that he did not record his attendance during the same period.
The officer also did not submit any leave application or supporting documents, such as a medical certificate, to explain his absence.
When the authorities went to the police quarters where he was believed to be staying along Jalan Tanjung Laboh, they were unable to find him.
After two weeks of unexplained absence, the Batu Pahat IPD officially opened an investigation to initiate further action.
Pleaded not guilty
The officer, who was unrepresented in court, claimed trial to the charge.
He was granted bail at RM2,000 and the court postponed the case to Dec 7 for mention in order to allow both the prosecution and defence to submit relevant documents, as well as to give the officer time to engage a lawyer.
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