KUALA TERENGGANU
Sessions Court Judge, Tuan Haji Jamaludin Haji Mat acquitted Lee Beng Ooi on one count of bribery under Section 17(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
The Prosecution case alleged that on February 29, 2016, the Accused, in his role as an Inspector from the Narcotics Division, accepted a bribe of RM3,000.00 in cash from Aziz Bin Abdullah who was representing Asmadi Bin M Ali.
Asmadi is father to Firdaus Bin Asmadi who was arrested for drug possession and tested positive for drug.
Lee was allegedly bribed in return for a more lenient charge for Firdaus.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Tuan Ahmad Adha prosecuted the case and 13 prosecution witnesses were called to prove its case.
Among the issues raised by the Defence, is the lack of evidence by the Prosecutionto prove that the Accused had accepted the bribe as thesubject matter (cash money) was not even tendered in Court. There were also no conversations and recordings to support their case.
The Learned Trial Judgeheld that the Prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the Accused and proceeded to acquit him.
Dissatisfied with the result, the Prosecution appealedagainst the decision.
YA Dato’ Abdul Wahab Bin Mohamed presided over the appeal and after hearing the submissions from both parties, the High Court Judge affirmed the decision of the lower Court.