7-10-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) A long-serving Immigration officer with 18 years of experience has found himself at the centre of a corruption scandal, pleading not guilty to 10 counts of accepting bribes totalling RM55,150. The case, which has sent shockwaves through the Immigration Department, unfolded at the Sessions Court in Johor Bahru on Monday.
Mohd Edisahril Mohd Noor, 41, stationed at the Bangunan Sultan Ismail (BSI) Immigration office, stood before Sessions Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail to face the charges. The prosecution alleges that between 4 November last year and 23 February this year, Edisahril accepted bribes ranging from RM3,000 to RM10,000 on ten separate occasions.
The funds were reportedly deposited into a bank account belonging to a company owned by Edisahril’s wife. According to the prosecution, these payments were intended to induce the accused to facilitate the illegal entry of Indonesian citizens into Malaysia, bypassing the stringent requirements of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The charges brought against Edisahril fall under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribes or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
In addition to the primary charges, Edisahril faces 10 alternative charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code. These relate to allegedly obtaining valuable items without proper consideration from individuals connected to his official duties during the same period. A conviction on these charges could result in up to two years in jail, a fine, or both.
During the proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin urged the court to set bail between RM15,000 and RM20,000, citing the gravity of the offences. The prosecution also requested additional conditions, including the surrender of Edisahril’s passport and monthly reporting to the Johor MACC office.
Defence lawyer Mohd Shahrullah Khan Nawab Zadah Khan appealed for a lower bail amount, highlighting Edisahril’s status as a father of three and his cooperation throughout the investigation.
After considering both arguments, Judge Ahmad Kamal Arifin set bail at RM10,000 with one surety and imposed the additional conditions proposed by the prosecution. The next court date for case mention and document submission has been scheduled for 10 November.
