.png)
A SENIOR Malaysian Army officer pleaded not guilty in the Johor Bahru Sessions Court today to a charge of soliciting bribes in connection with cigarette-smuggling activities allegedly carried out three years ago.
Lieutenant Colonel Kamarulzaman Ali, 53, entered the plea after the charge was read before Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail.
Prosecutors allege that, in his capacity as Head of the Planning and Psychological Warfare Campaign Branch at the Defence Intelligence Organisation, he corruptly requested RM1,500 in cash for each successful cigarette-smuggling “trip” that landed in southern Johor.
The alleged request was made to two individuals as an inducement for him not to report smuggling operations in the Kota Tinggi district, despite this falling under his duties. The offence is said to have taken place at a stall in Teluk Ramunia, Pengerang, around October 2022.
Kamarulzaman is charged under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
MACC Deputy Public Prosecutor ‘Athirah Mohd Azuarizanuddin did not offer bail, citing the non-bailable nature of the offence.
However, defence counsel S Sangkari argued that bail should be granted, noting that the accused remains in service and supports his ailing mother, his wife and a 21-year-old child currently studying at a higher education institution.
“The accused has a net salary of RM6,204. We are also requesting that his passport not be withheld by the court as there is no likelihood of him fleeing, and if he has duties abroad, his movements will be reported to the court. The defence is also requesting that the accused be granted a reasonable bail of RM10,000,” he said.
The court granted bail of RM10,000 with one local surety and ordered Kamarulzaman to report monthly to the MACC office in Kuala Lumpur.
‘Athirah also requested that the case be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court under Section 104 of the Subordinate Courts Act 1948, noting that the accused was charged with another corruption offence there on 31 October.
The judge allowed the application and directed the matter to be moved to the Kuala Lumpur Special Corruption Sessions Court. - December 1, 2025