A former police lance corporal was sentenced to one day in jail and fined RM6,000 by the Sessions Court today for accepting RM3,000 to release a foreign man detained at the Shah Alam District Police Headquarters lock-up two years ago.
Judge Datuk Anita Harun imposed the sentence after the accused, S. Kabilann, 34, pleaded guilty to the alternative charge against him.
The court also ordered an additional six months’ imprisonment if the accused fails to pay the imposed fine, and the accused has made the payment.
Kabilann was charged, at the time of the incident, as a police lance corporal at the Shah Alam District Police Headquarters, with receiving RM3,000 in cash through his bank account from a 47-year-old man who was known to be connected to his duties.
According to the post on X by Berita Harian, Kabilann is now a parking attendant.
‘Hilang kerja kerana rasuah, Lans Koperal polis kini jaga parkir’#BHkes Dibuang daripada perkhidmatan polis sejak dua tahun lalu https://t.co/UwRoVFUkNg
— Berita Harian (@bharianmy) August 27, 2024
The accused, who was not represented by a lawyer, pleaded for the lightest possible sentence, stating that he has been unemployed for the past two years after being dismissed from his job.
“I am now only a parking attendant and support my elderly parents and two young children,” he said.
Sadly, his pleas garnered little compassion from netizens who drew parallels between his actions and the issue of corruption that has been running rampant across Malaysia.
Netizen Eddy Frendowski said it was foolish to lose one’s job for a bribe of RM3,000.
He advised potential bribe takers to play in the sum of millions instead. The loss of one’s job then would be worth the trouble.
Another netizen pointed out that retired soldiers and police officers who were removed for “Dishonorable Discharge” can be discerned by examining the back of his Mykad.
If there is no “(B)” in his or her service number, this shows that the officer has been fired. However, if said officer is relieved of his or her duty due to sickness or disability, there is still a choice to have the “(B)” included and is able to register for the veterans club.
One netizen alluded to the fact that perhaps Kabilann might not be so poor after all to have his sentence reduced.
Netizen mba trader, however, highlighted the disparity of the situation between the poor and privileged in his comment.
Perhaps people can get away with bribes if they know the right people in the high places. Sadly, this is the situation in Malaysia.
As for Kabilann, the predicament he is currently in is regrettable.
However distasteful the judgement from the court may be, it is still the expression of justice and a small step towards making a cleaner, fairer Malaysia.– Aug 28, 2024
Main image: beritaharian
