Firdaus Kamal, 39, who is with the Seberang Perai Utara police headquarters’ criminal investigation division, was charged with receiving RM5,000 and RM6,500 in cash from an individual as an inducement to settle a case being investigated under Section 6(1) of the Betting Act 1953.

He allegedly committed both offences at the division’s office at 5.30pm on Aug 21, 2024, and in front of the former plant quarantine office at Jalan Bagan Luar at 3.45pm the following day.

The charges were framed under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.

The penalty includes a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Earlier, MACC deputy public prosecutor Noor Azura Zulkiflee proposed bail of RM10,000, with additional conditions that the accused report to the nearest MACC office once a month and surrender his passport to the court pending disposal of the case.

However, lawyer Khaliq Mehtab Ishaq, representing Firdaus, appealed for a lower bail, stating that his client is earning a basic monthly salary of RM3,400 and is the sole breadwinner for his wife, two children aged 12 and eight, as well as his parents.

Judge Zulhazmi Abdullah granted bail of RM10,000 with one surety for both charges, along with the additional conditions requested by the prosecution, and fixed June 12 for mention.