Police officer in Kuching discharged, acquitted of corruption charge

KUCHING (Aug 19): The Sessions Court here today discharged and acquitted a police officer with the rank of deputy superintendent of police (DSP) from a charge of corruptly accepting gratification of RM15,000.

Judge Steve Ritikos made the decision against Sofian Abu Bakar, 47, after finding the defence had succeeded in raising reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case.

“I have perused through the evidence adduced by the defence and the prosecution and at the end of the defence’s case, I find that the defence has succeeded in raising reasonable doubt upon the prosecution’s case,” said Steve.

He therefore discharged and acquitted the accused on the amended main charge and amended alternative charge.

According to the main amended charge, Sofian was accused of corruptly accepting gratification of RM15,000 as an inducement not to take legal action against a man suspected of conducting an illegal lottery business.

Sofian, who at that time was an officer in charge at the Meradong District police headquarters and held the rank of DSP, was accused of committing the offence in front of an electrical/furniture store on Jalan Wong King Huo in Sibu, between 8.30pm and 9.15pm on Oct 11, 2018.

He was charged under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.

Sofian also faced an amended alternative charge under Section 165 of the Penal Code for receiving RM15,000 from the man suspected of operating an illegal lottery business — a violation under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which the former allegedly committed at the same time and place.

The case was prosecuted by deputy public prosecutors Nur Nisla Abd Latif and Yong Ann Nee, with prosecuting officers Jawa Milu from the MACC.

Sofian was represented by counsel Shankar Ram Asnani.