KUCHING: The Court of Appeal yesterday affirmed a day’s jail and RM10,000-fine imposed on a former Sibu district officer convicted of a bribery charge.
It was the final appeal for Wong See Meng, 58, who was convicted of the offence in the High Court last year. A three-judge panel consisting of Dato’ Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim, Dato’ Rohana Yusuf and Datuk Dr Prasad Sandosham Abraham unanimously dismissed Wong’s appeal and ruled that the decision imposed by the High Court was correct.
The cross appeal made by the prosecutor against the inadequacy of the sentence imposed by the High Court was also dismissed. Wong has completed the one-day jail term imposed on him as well as the fine. He was initially discharged and acquitted after a full trial at the Sibu Sessions Court in January last year.
On Sept 10 last year, the prosecutor’s appeal against the inadequacy of his sentence was allowed on the ground that the lower court (Sessions Court) had erred in acquitting and discharging him
and therefore the sentence was imposed
on him.
Wong was found guilty for corruptly obtaining RM500 from one Stephen Lu as a reward to approve a letter of administration (LA) for the latter’s client, Zhuo Jing, a Chinese national.
The offence was committed at 11.15am
on Dec 31, 2011 at the Sibu district office
in Wisma Sanyan. Wong was convicted under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 which provides for a 20-year jail and a fine not less than five times the bribe amount
or RM10,000 whichever is higher.
Law Chin How from the MACC prosecuted.