Judge Mohd Nasir Nordin, in sentencing Nooraszlina Ismail, 35, also ordered her to serve another six months’ jail if she failed to pay the fine.

Nooraszlina was charged with soliciting RM20,000 from Mohd Rafi Md Hasin to help settle a corruption-related case.

The accused committed the offence at Batu 18 1/2 Kampung Lendu Dalam, Alor Gajah, near here, at 8.15pm on Feb 3, 2017.

She was charged under Section 16 (a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than RM10,000 or five times the bribe.

According to the facts of the case, Rafi received a phone call from the accused, who introduced herself as Nora, an MACC officer from the headquarters in Putrajaya.

In the phone conversation, the accused said she could close investigations into a case with a RM20,000 fee.

Nooraszlina, in mitigation, appealed for a lesser sentence as she is a single mother with five children and parents to support.

She said she was having financial difficulties, earning only RM30 a day as a shop assistant.

The prosecution was conducted by MACC deputy public prosecutor Mohammed Heikal Ismail while the accused was not represented.