A Marine Department officer in Penang was jailed for six months and fined nearly RM200,000 today for giving his brother's company two contracts related to the department's boats engines.

Sessions court judge Sitarun Nisa Abdul Aziz handed down the sentence on Shamsul Helmie Sapri for two charges under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, punishable under Section 24, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years.

On the first charge, Shamsul Helmie was jailed six months and fined RM95,150 for issuing the contract to his brother's company, North Prime Marine, to supply RM19,030 worth of spare parts for boats belonging to the department.

Plea for stay of sentence allowed

He was jailed another six months and fined RM87,850 for picking the same company to carry out boat maintenance work costing RM17,570.

Judge Sitarun Nisa ordered the jail terms to run concurrently

Shamsul Helmie committed the offences in March and April last year in his capacity as the assistance officer of the state Marine Department, where he is still employed.

He had earlier denied using his position to enrich himself by giving the procurement contract to his brother's firm.

Shamsul Helmie's lawyer Ashok Athimulan sought a stay of sentence pending appeal, which the judge allowed and set bail at RM60,000.