- NSTP file pic
- NSTP file pic

KOTA KINABALU: Two policemen were charged in the Special Court here today with corruption.

Corporal Haikal Ibrahim Abdullah and Corporal Sabestino Bong pleaded not guilty before judge Abu Bakar Manat when the charges were read out to them.

Haikal faces nine charges while Sabestino faces two charges.

The charges under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, and punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act, provide for a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine five times the bribe amount, upon conviction.

In Haikal's case, he was accused of accepting a total RM1,570 from a 39-year-old man as inducement not to take action against him under the Dangerous Drugs Act.

He allegedly committed the offence at Bank Simpan Nasional in Kota Belud between May 23, 2017, and July 6, 2018.

For Sabestino, he was accused of accepting a total RM300 bribe from the same victim on June 6 at Bank Rakyat in Kota Belud.

The judge fixed Nov 29 for handing over relevant documents, and the duo was allowed to be released on bail with one local surety.

Haikal was released on RM8,000 bail with RM4,000 deposited in court while Sabestino was released on RM6,000 bail with RM3,000 to be deposited in court.

Haikal and Sabestino were also ordered to report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office in Sandakan and Lahad Datu twice a month, respectively, while they had to surrender their passports to the court.

Both accused were unrepresented while deputy public prosecutor Nurul Izzati Sapifee prosecuted.