Customs officer claims trial to receiving cash to close probe

SHAH ALAM: A customs officer pleaded not guilty at the sessions court here today to receiving RM15,000 in cash from a suspect to close an investigation.

Fareez Akhmal Yusuf was slapped with the charge under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act.

He is accused of receiving the money from the 50-year-old suspect at a carpark in Jalan SS4C/5, Petaling Jaya, on June 29.

The sum was allegedly payment for Fareez to close an ongoing investigation by the customs department against the suspect.

If found guilty, Fareez faces a maximum jail term of 20 years and a minimum RM10,000 fine.

Judge Nasir Nordin granted bail of RM5,000 with one surety and ordered Fareez to surrender his passport to the court pending the disposal of the case.

The court fixed Aug 3 for case management.

Lawyer Azrul Stork represented Fareez while deputy public prosecutor Muaz Ahmad Khairuddin appeared for the prosecution.