Penang JPJ officer claims trial to five charges of accepting bribes totalling RM3,300

IPOH: A 46-year-old Penang Road Transport Department (JPJ) assistant enforcement officer has been slapped with five charges of accepting bribes amounting to RM3,300.

Saibullah Zaid Abdul Halim from Sungai Jawi, Penang, pleaded not guilty after the charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code was read to him before Sessions Court judge Datuk Ibrahim Osman here on Wednesday (June 12).

Saibullah Zaid allegedly accepted the money from transportation company director Badrul Hisyam Hamid via bank transfers from the account of one Fatimah Abdullah into the account of the accused’s wife Hazirah Ismail between Oct 4, 2017 and March 29, 2018.

If found guilty, Saibullah Zaid could be jailed up to two years, fined or both.

When requesting for a lower bail, lawyer Mohamed Firdaus M. Farouk said Saibullah Zaid was the sole breadwinner of his family.

“He is married and has three children, aged 21, 19 and 15,” he said, adding that his client has served with the JPJ for 15 years. He may face suspension and lose his source of income,” he added.

Ibrahim set RM8,000 as bail for all five charges and Aug 16 for mention.

Saibullah was also ordered to surrender his passport to the court and report himself to the nearest MACC office once a month until the case is complete.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Afiqa Liyana Razman and Noor Azura Zulkiflee prosecuted.

When met outside the courtroom, Afiqa Liyana said the accused was charged in Perak because his wife’s bank account was opened in Kuala Kangsar.