Tong (front) outside the Sessions Court. — Bernama photo
JOHOR BAHRU: The Sessions Court here yesterday sentenced a night club owner to seven days’ jail and a fine of RM10,000, in default six months’ jail, for bribing an enforcement personnel of the Kluang Municipal Council (MPK).
Judge Ahmad Jailani Abdul Rahman handed down the sentence on Tong Nye Lee, 55, who pleaded guilty to the charge.
Tong was charged with offering RM500 bribe to the municipal council staff at the MPK office near Kluang, at about 3.15pm last Oct 15 as an inducement for action not to be taken against his nightclub, XY Village Enterprise at Jalan Intan 7/2, Taman Intan, Kluang, for allegedly violating conditions of its licence.
The charge, under Section 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, provides an imprisonment for up to 20 years and fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
In the same court, two traders pleaded not guilty to charges of offering bribes to law enforcement officers.
Toh Jenn Shyang, 38, was charged with offering RM5,100 bribe to an enforcement officer from the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry so that action would not to be taken against him for possession of controlled items.
He is alleged to have committed the offence at his business premises in Kampung Kebun Sayur, Bakri, Muar, at 10.20am on July 6 this year.
Another trader, Tan Chau Chuan , 42, was charged with offering bribe of RM2,080 to a MPK enforcement officer for allegedly displaying advertisement on his lorry with a permit.
The offence was committed at the MPK office at about 3.30pm on Sept 23 this year.
Toh and Tan were allowed bail of RM15,000 in one surety each, with the case fixed for mention on Dec 18 and Jan 14, respectively.
Johor MACC prosecuting officer Mohamad Anis Redza Mohamad Anuar prosecuted in both cases, while Toh and Tan were unrepresented. — Bernama