KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here yesterday upheld the two-year jail sentence and fine of RM15,110 imposed by a lower court on a former director of Putrajaya Corporation, Datuk Shahoran Johan Ariffin, for corruption.
Judge Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah made the decision after hearing submissions by the prosecution, represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Afifah Yusof, and lawyer Alex Tan Chie Sien, representing Shahoran.
“The court finds the appeal by Shahoran has no merit. Therefore, the appeal is dismissed,” she said.
However, she allowed a stay of the sentence pending an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
On March 28, 2012, Sessions Court Judge Rosbiahanin Arifin sentenced Shahonan to two years’ jail and fine of RM15,110 after finding him guilty of an offence under the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.
He was charged with accepting a return air ticket to London, worth RM3,022, from a contractor, Yaacob Hassan, through one Azizi Johan Ariffin, as an inducement to award projects in Taman Putra Perdana to Fortress Synergy Sdn Bhd, which was owned by Yaacob through Kenas Prima Sdn Bhd.
The offence was committed at the KL International Hotel here between May 4 and 5, 2005.
Shahoran was also given an alternative charge for allegedly accepting the ticket from Yaacob with the knowledge that Fortress Synergy was involved in his official dealings. — Bernama