18-year-old fined RM5,000 for bribing policeman
IPOH: An 18-year-old mechanic, who offered a RM50 bribe to a policeman for not wearing a crash helmet was fined RM5,000 in default five months imprisonment by the Sessions Court here today.
The teenager pleaded guilty to the charge on Aug 10.
The court then ordered for a social evaluation report by the Welfare Department before sentencing him.
Judge S. Indera Nehru said: "After listening to the plea, social report and appeal by the lawyer, a fine of RM5,000 is imposed in default of five months jail."
The youngster had offered a RM50 bribe to Lance Corporal Mohd Farid Ahmad in front of SRJKC Hwa Lian, Pasir Bogak, Pangkor, at 2pm on April 18 as an inducement for not issuing summons for not wearing a crash helmet.
He was charged under Section 214 of the Penal Code.
The offence carries a maximum 10-year jail term or a fine or both.
DPP Nurul Wahida Jalaluddin from the MACC asked the court to impose an appropriate sentence as a deterrent since corruption is widespread among the young generation .
"The sentence should serve as a lesson for him as well as the community to create awareness that corruption is serious," she said.
In mitigation, counsel Kenny Lai Choe Ken from National Legal Aid Foundation told the court his client is a first-time offender and earns RM600.
"As a youngster, not going to prison will ensure a future for him and reflect the court's mercy."