A former Special Branch counter-terrorism officer has been fined RM10,000 by the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court after being found guilty of receiving money from the father of a man suspected of links to the Islamic State (IS). The court ordered that he serve nine months in jail if he fails to pay the fine.
The accused, 44-year-old Mohd Nazli Mohamed, who was previously attached to the Terengganu Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (E8), was convicted of receiving RM10,500 without lawful consideration through five separate transactions between May and December 2018.
The court heard that the payments were made by Zaid Jusoh, whose son was under police surveillance over suspected IS-related activities after travelling to Syria. Mohd Nazli was said to have approached the father in his official capacity, claiming he could help facilitate the return of the son and his family through unofficial channels.
It was also alleged that the former officer introduced a man known as Aki Mus as part of the supposed arrangement. However, the court found no credible evidence that such an individual existed or that any genuine efforts were made to repatriate the family.
Judicial Commissioner Mohd Azhar Othman ruled that the accused had exploited the desperation of a father seeking to bring his son home from a conflict zone. The judge said all payments were linked to the officer’s position and his claimed ability to assist in the matter.
The court also rejected claims that part of the money was a personal loan, noting the absence of any documentation, repayment terms or supporting evidence. It was described as an afterthought.
In sentencing, the court considered both aggravating and mitigating factors, including the accused’s clean record and his wife’s pregnancy, who is due to give birth to their third child.
The judge stated that a custodial sentence would normally have been appropriate but opted for a fine in view of the circumstances. The court added that financial arrangements would be needed for the family during this period.
Deputy public prosecutor Farah Yasmin Salleh led the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer G. Ravishankar.
