TAWAU: A female Immigration officer was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) by the Special Corruption Court here Thursday on 17 corruption charges involving the processing of foreigners to pass through the immigration inspection counters at Tawau Airport (LTT) for flights to Kuala Lumpur three years ago.
Katika Dewiana Bacho, 38, who is currently suspended from duty, was granted the DNAA by Judge Andi Razalijaya A Dadi during proceedings for the prosecution’s application under Section 254(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).
He said the court was satisfied that there were sufficient grounds to allow the prosecution to discontinue the trial after considering submissions from both parties.
The DNAA application was filed on Wednesday after the prosecution identified new developments that only came to light last week while preparing the statement of the prosecution’s key witness.
He said the new information involved four specific bank accounts linked to all 17 charges, but the court was informed that the accounts had been closed or blacklisted.
“In this case, the court is satisfied that efforts to obtain documents relating to the four newly identified bank accounts constitute a specific and temporary evidential obstacle, rather than an endless extension of an incomplete investigation,” he said.
At the same time, he said the court had also considered the defence’s submissions on the prejudice suffered by the accused, who is facing disciplinary proceedings at her workplace, has been suspended from employment and is experiencing financial difficulties, in addition to requiring ongoing medical treatment following a recent surgery.
Katika, who held the KP19 grade position on Feb 18, 2025, pleaded not guilty to 17 charges of accepting bribes totalling RM14,250.
She was accused of obtaining for herself a valuable item, namely cash, without consideration, transferred from the personal Maybank account of Eryano Jabar, 58, amounting to RM14,250 in total.
The gratification was allegedly received from Eryano, who had dealings related to her official duties, with Eryano purportedly responsible for arranging for foreigners to pass through the immigration inspection counters at LTT for flights to Kuala Lumpur.
The accused was alleged to have committed the offences at the immigration inspection counters at LTT between January and March 2023.
All the charges were brought under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both, on conviction.
The trial began in August, with five of the 10 prosecution witnesses having testified.
Following the latest development, the court vacated the trial dates, which were scheduled to conclude on Friday.
The court also allowed the defence’s application for the return of the bail money and the accused’s international passport.
The prosecution was conducted by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecuting officer Norsham Saharom, while the accused was represented by lawyers Sharata Masyaroh John Ridhwan Lincon and Zahbia Ophent.
