Graft: Ex-Sabah Ports and Harbour Department's boss fined

Daily Express

a day ago

Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025
By: Cynthia D Baga Text Size: The charges stated that, while serving as JPDS director, Abel had accepted bribes ranging between RM33,098.62 and RM59,724.30 from two companies connected to his official duties between 2017 and 2018. Kota Kinabalu: A Former Sabah Ports and Harbour Department (JPDS) director was fined a total of RM700,000 for 15 counts of bribery involving towing services. Session Court judge Jason Juga meted out the sentence to Abel Ongkunik, 52, when the case was brought up for facts and sentencing as he had pleaded guilty to the 15 alternative charges on March 14 this year.
Advertisement The alternative charges were offered by the prosecution following the acceptance of Abel's representation letter and the total amount involved in the 15 charges was RM632,296.03. The court had imposed the fines ranging from RM38,000 to RM58,000 for each charge and it was learnt that Abel had paid the RM700,000 fines. The charges stated that, while serving as JPDS director, Abel had accepted bribes ranging between RM33,098.62 and RM59,724.30 from two companies connected to his official duties between 2017 and 2018. The money was deposited into the accounts of three companies at several bank branches in Kota Kinabalu, Lido and Kota Belud. The offences were related to granting permission to a company for towing services in the Kimanis port limit area and approving towing work licences for another company. The alternatives charges fall under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction. The court heard that Abel had the authority to grant approvals for towing services provided by JPDS. He met with the owners of the two companies and arranged for the approvals to be granted by JPDS to both companies for providing towing services. Investigations also revealed that Abel received money from the company owners, with funds transferred from the accounts of both companies into the accounts of three other companies. The accounts and financial dealings of these three companies were under Abel's control. In mitigation, counsel Dominic Chew who represented Abel, requested the court to impose a fine between RM650,000 and RM690,000 for all 15 charges. Chew informed the court that Abel, who has three children, is the sole breadwinner of the family and that it was his first offence. 'In addition, our client has expressed genuine remorse and wished to move forward with his life through his new employment in Terengganu, while providing for his family through lawful means,' he said. However, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Izzati Sapifee proposed at least RM50,000 fine per charge, taking into account the facts of the case, serving public interest and acting as a deterrent to potential offenders. She said Abel, as a director in JPDS at the material time, held the highest position in the department. As such, he should have upheld a high moral standard when dealing with businesses involving JPDS, and in maintaining the image of the public service in the eyes of the public. 'The fact that when he performed such offence, he as a public officer holding the highest position in JPDS, might as well prevent other companies from being granted the same permit for work from JPDS. 'As a director also he should not have personal side dealings with any person or company which are known to him being connected to his official duty,' she said. Abel was originally facing 29 charges involving RM1.29 million of bribes under Section 17 (a) of the MACC Act 2009 which is punishable under Section 24 (1) of the same act. He claimed trial to the charges on March 15, 2022. The 15 original charges were withdrawn, while the remaining 14 main charges were taken into consideration by the court in accordance with Section 171A of the Criminal Procedure Code. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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