Judge Nasir Nordin found Khusairi Husain, 59, guilty of accepting a RM5,000 bribe over the appointment of a supplier for fertiliser, seeds, and pesticides, Harian Metro reported.

The judge allowed a stay of Khusairi’s sentence pending the disposal of his appeal.

In delivering his ruling, Nasir said Khusairi did not deny and, in fact, agreed with the prosecution’s narrative that he had accepted the bribe.

“The accused admitted to accepting the bribe but claimed it was a contribution to Selangor LKIM’s welfare and sports club.

“However, he failed to furnish any receipt or supporting document to prove that the money was handed to the club. In fact, he admitted that a portion of the money was used for other purposes.”

Khusairi was charged with accepting a RM5,000 bribe from the senior manager of a statutory body’s branch in Klang at the Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Sungai Besar’s office in Sabak Bernam on Nov 24, 2020.

The charge was framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to two years in jail, a fine, or both upon conviction.

During mitigation, lawyer Adly Zulfadly Zulkefly said his client is a single father whose children are still in school. He said Khusairi is also looking after his father who is ill.

Adly added that Khusairi had been with the agency for nearly 30 years with a clean record, and even received an excellent service award.

“He has been suspended from his duties until today,” he told the court, in seeking a lighter sentence for his client.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission prosecuting officer Aliff Shahruzaman argued that Khusairi had set a bad example for his subordinates and the public as a director of the agency’s state chapter.