A house painter pleaded not guilty in the Session Court here today to offering a RM54,950 bribe to a police officer two weeks ago.

Yap Ten Ooi,46, is alleged to have offered RM54,950 to Chief Inspector M Suresh, 41, of Kuala Lumpur narcotics CID to release him for drug possession at a car park at Level 4, Vista Mutiara, off Jalan Kepong at 8.15pm on July 15.

He was charged under Section 17 (b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 which carries a maximum 20 years' jail term and a fine not less than five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, depending on which is higher.

Judge Rozilah Salleh granted bail of RM10,000 with one surety and fixed the case for mention on Aug 30.

- Bernama