Sessions court judge Suzana Hussin handed down the sentence after ruling that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt in Saifullah Minggu’s case.

Saifullah, a former aide to the tourism, arts and culture minister, was also ordered to serve an additional seven years in prison if he failed to pay the fine.

The 34-year-old broke down in tears as the judge delivered the sentence.

Suzana allowed a stay of execution pending an appeal at the High Court and set bail at RM280,000. She also urged Saifullah to reflect on his wrongdoing.

“You are still young. I hope you will truly repent and change for the better,” she said.

Deputy public prosecutors Law Chin How, Asraf Tahir, Hazel Tan and Atirah Azuarizanuddin prosecuted while Saifullah was represented by lawyer Asyraaf Abu Bakar Hamzah.

In February last year, the court ordered Saifullah to enter his defence after finding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case in eight of the 19 charges against him.

The eight charges related to Saifullah’s alleged receipt of RM1,765,000 in bribes from Inter Bev Network Sdn Bhd owner Ronald Seto through Roslan Lahada.

The sum was an incentive for Saifullah help Inter Bev secure a tender for brand and creative production services.

The offences were committed at the Red Box Karaoke and Coffee Bean outlet in Pavilion Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur; at the senior private secretary’s office at the ministry in Putrajaya; at Vipod Residences in Temasya Anggun, Glenmarie, Selangor; and at the Petronas petrol station in Dengkil.

The offences took place between Dec 21, 2018 and March 1, 2019.

Mohamaddin Ketapi was the tourism, arts and culture minister at the time the offences were committed.