A 33-year old local man, Mohd Shah Nurul Ridzuan bin Haji Maiddin pleaded guilty to an alternative charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22 for obtaining a sum of money without consideration or with consideration, which is inadequate from a person who is connected with his official function as a public officer.

Investigation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, ACB revealed that the Defendant, who at the time of the commission of the offence was a public servant, namely a Grade 2 Staff Officer at the Finance Unit, Building and Maintenance Section of Ministry of Religious Affairs, had obtained money in the sum of one thousand dollars placed inside an envelope from a contractor of a company carrying out a housing related project at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which is connected to the defendant's official function as the officer in charge of processing the payment for such work.

It was further revealed that the said contractor had told the Defendant to convert some of the cash to gift vouchers in order to be given to other employees of the Finance Unit of the Building and Maintenance Section of the said Ministry.

The Defendant admitted to have taken $500 for himself for his personal use, whilst the remainder of the money is used to purchase Hua Ho Department Store Gift Vouchers, which he had given to his colleagues and former girlfriend.

The contractor in this case is also charged for giving the said one thousand dollars to the defendant, but had pleaded not guilty to the offence and is awaiting for trial to be heard against him. The defendant was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment after giving consideration to the defendant's guilty plea.

Source:
RTB NEWS

by RTB NEWS

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]