Kelantanese jailed, fined for impersonating police officer

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KOTA KINABALU: A 57-year-old man from Kelantan was yesterday sentenced to six months’ jail and fined RM300, in default, two months’ jail, for impersonating a police officer.

Mohd Noh Mat Jusoh received the punishment from magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus after he pleaded guilty to having police gear and equipment when he was stopped during a routine patrol at the Telipok settlement scheme as he was driving a black Isuzu D-Max, wearing a T-shirt with a police logo on it at about 2.15pm on February 17.

In all, Noh was found to be in possession of four black T-shirts, one grey cap, two vehicle stickers and one set of handcuffs along with its case, all bearing the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) logo.

The offence falls under Section 89(a) of the Police Act 1967 for possessing, producing, distributing or supplying police equipment illegally and wearing police uniforms without permission.

Mohd Noh can be punished under Section 94 of the same Act, which carries a fine of not more than RM500 or a maximum jail of six months, or both, upon conviction.

The unrepresented store operator told the court that he had received the gear as a souvenir from a friend who had ties with the General Operations Force (PGA) under PDRM.

Prosecuting officer Inspector Isfandiar Dr Jasdi pushed for a maximum jail sentence to be imposed on the accused, as a mere fine would be insufficient given the seriousness of the crime.

Masquerading as a law enforcement officer portrayed a bad image and tarnished the reputation of the PDRM, said Isfandiar.

He further said that public interest must be taken into consideration when imposing a punishment on the accused.

After receiving his punishment, the accused appointed a National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer to apply for a stay of his execution, pending an appeal at the High Court.

The lawyer told the court that his client was applying for the stay as the latter was informed by a third party that he would only be fined, and not jailed, if he pleaded guilty to the charge.

However, the court affirmed its decision and disallowed the application, following the prosecution’s objection to it.

According to the facts of the case, the accused was stopped by police personnel when he was seen wearing the black T-shirt bearing the police logo.

Upon inspecting the man and the vehicle, police found the other items, including a sticker with the vehicle’s registration number and a police logo on it.

The accused had initially introduced himself as a police officer, but failed to produce any valid police identification when asked to do so.

The vehicle used by the accused was found to belong to his brother-in-law, which was not reported to be missing.