A 29-year-old police corporal has been charged with allegedly failing to report for duty for 26 days without leave in Batu Pahat, Johor.
The officer was charged at the Batu Pahat Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Oct 22) under Section 86(1) of the Police Act 1967 (Act 344). If convicted, he faces up to 12 months in prison.
According to the charge sheet, he allegedly failed to report for duty at the Commercial Crime Investigation Division office at the Batu Pahat District Police Headquarters (IPD) from Sept 1 to 26.
Case details stated that he had repeatedly failed to turn up for his scheduled shifts. A review of attendance records also found no record of him reporting for duty during that period.
The corporal had also allegedly failed to submit a leave application or supporting documents, such as a medical certificate, to explain his absence.
Authorities later visited the police quarters along Jalan Tanjung Laboh, where he was believed to be staying, but were unable to locate him.
Following two weeks of unexplained absence, the Batu Pahat IPD launched an investigation to initiate further action.
The officer, who was unrepresented in court, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
He was granted bail of RM2,000, while the court fixed Dec 7 for mention to allow both the prosecution and defence to submit relevant documents and give the officer time to engage a lawyer.
