Two police constables were each sentenced to 24 months' jail and fined RM10,000 in default six months' jail for accepting bribe of RM350 from an Indonesian man four years ago.

Sessions Court Judge Rosbiahanin Ariffin passed the sentence today after Mohd Ridzuan Zulkifli, 29, and Md Azale Md Yusof, 27, failed to raise reasonable doubts against the prosecution's case.

The judge also dismissed the defence lawyer Ahmad Shuaib Ismail's application for a stay of execution pending appeal in the High Court.

Mohd Ridzuan and Md Azale, who are attached to the escort branch of the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters were charged with having common intention to accept a bribe of RM350 from Pausan Juhari at Jalan Delima, Off Jalan Intan, Ampang here, at about 5pm on April 28, 2007.

The bribe was an inducement for both Mohd Ridzuan and Mohd Azale not to take action against Pausan's employee Jamilah Abdul Rashid, who did not possess any valid identification document.

Accused did not think twice

Mohd Ridzuan and Md Azale were charged under Section 11(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997, read together with Section 37 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and fine not less than five times the amount of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Before passing the sentence, Rosbiahanin also reprimanded both the accused for not thinking twice about committing crime.

"As policemen, who are wearing the badge with the words "Saya Anti Rasuah" (I'm Against Bribe), you should think about your parents and families before getting involve in bribery," the judge said.

Throughout the trial, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission prosecuting officer Azizun Mohamed, who appeared for the prosecution, called 10 witnesses, while both the accused testified for the defence.

- Bernama