Former Temerloh Police Chief Sentenced To Eight Months’ Jail Over 46 Corruption Charges

KUANTAN, Oct 21 – Former Temerloh district police chief Superintendent Mohd Azhar Mohd Yusoff was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment by the Kuantan Sessions Court on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, after being found guilty on 46 graft charges involving RM69,600.

Judge Sazlina Safie delivered the verdict against Mohd Azhar, 56, after ruling that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case beyond reasonable doubt under Section 165 of the Penal Code.

The court ordered the eight-month prison term for each of the 46 charges to run concurrently.

However, Judge Sazlina granted a stay of execution on the prison sentence pending Mohd Azhar’s appeal to the High Court, fixing bail at RM30,000 with one surety and ordering the surrender of his international passport.

Trial Submissions, Defense Arguments, and Statutory Provisions

Key legal arguments and statutory details presented during the sentencing hearing include:

• Abuse of Public Position: Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Radzi Shah Abd Razak pressed for a custodial sentence and heavy fines, arguing that Mohd Azhar abused his high-ranking command position as Temerloh police chief between 2019 and 2023, severely damaging public trust in the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the broader civil service.
• Mitigation Requests: Defense counsel Datuk M. Athimulan requested a fine without imprisonment, highlighting Mohd Azhar’s 33 years of unblemished service in PDRM and noting that conviction and incarceration would lead to immediate dismissal, loss of pension rights, and severe social stigma.
• Penal Code Section 165: Section 165 covers public servants obtaining valuable items without consideration from persons concerned in official business, carrying a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both per count.
• Procedural History: The Sessions Court had originally ordered Mohd Azhar to enter his defense on all 46 charges on June 29, 2025.

Mohd Azhar’s legal team will file the formal petition of appeal at the High Court within the prescribed statutory period.

–NMT