SHAH ALAM Nov 24 (FMT) : The sessions court today allowed the government\u2019s application to forfeit RM182,000 found in the chambers of a judge during a raid conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) two years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Judge Rozilah Salleh said she rejected the contention of former Kuala Kubu Bharu sessions court judge Azmil Muntapha Abas, 47, that the money was a loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Businessman Leong Peng Woon came in as a third party to claim the RM182,100.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe court finds that actions and statements by the respondent (Azmil) and Leong are an afterthought and failed to prove the money was a loan,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rozilah said she was satisfied that the forfeiture was a result of Azmil accepting a bribe, which was an offence under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The forfeiture application was made under Section 41 of the MACC Act as Azmil was not prosecuted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Azmil, who was unrepresented, was in court while lawyer Hasshahari Johari Mawi appeared for Leong. Deputy public prosecutors Allan Suman Pillai and Maziah Mohaide represented MACC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last month, the sessions court acquitted three legal practitioners, including Azmil, for accepting bribes of RM17,500 two years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other two are former deputy public prosecutor Khairul Azhwa Yusri Mohamad, 34, and lawyer Noor Amirul Nazreen Anas, 33.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Judge Rihaida Rafie said the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trio were accused of accepting bribes from Wong Chiew Hoong as an inducement for Azmil to mete out a lighter sentence in the form of a fine on seven illegal immigrants for violating the Immigration Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They were alleged to have committed the offence at the Kuala Kubu Bharu sessions court on July 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prosecution has since filed an appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n