ALOR STAR: A sandalwood trader-cum illegal gambling den owner claimed trial at a Sessions court here today to offering a bribe to a policeman in Kulim last year.
Lau Ah Hock, 52, from Taman Selasih, Kulim, was charged with offering RM500 in cash to Inspector Norfaizal Mohamad as an inducement for the latter to not take action against him for organising illegal lottery gambling activities at his shop.
Clad in a blue t-shirt, the father of four was calm when the charge was read to him in Mandarin by a court interpreter.
Lau is accused of committing the offence on Nov 4, 2015, at his shop, Soon Lee Huat Sandalwood Trading, at No 287 A, Jalan Aman, Kulim.
He is charged under Section 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years’ jail and a fine five times the amount of bribery, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Judge Zanol Rashid Hussin set bail at RM5,000 with one surety and fixed Oct 26 for mention. MACC deputy public prosecutor A.
Hafiiz Abu Bakar prosecuted, while the accused was represented by counsel Jasni Mahamad.-nst