A former senior general manager of Sime Darby Engineering Sdn Bhd in Pasir Gudang, Johor, was ordered by a Sessions Court here Wednesday to enter his defence over five counts of accepting bribes amounting to RM181,880.
Judge Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain came to the decision after the prosecution managed to establish a prima facie case against Md Zaki Othman, 49.
In his judgement, Ahmad Zamzani said the prosecution had adduced sufficient evidence against the accused through witnesses and documents tendered in court.
He then set three days for the accused to enter his defense, starting Jan 11, 2012.
On the first count, Md Zaki allegedly accepted RM33,600 in cash from a contractor, as payment for a set of furniture in his house in Taman Austin Perdana about 10am on Dec 14, 2007.
The bribe was claimed to be an inducement to secure a Letter of Intent dated Jan 11, 2008 for an oil and gas project worth RM23,901,959.
He was charged under the Anti-Corruption Act of 1997 (ACA 1997) which provides for a maximum 20-year imprisonment and fine of not less than five times the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
On the second count, Md Zaki allegedly accepted a Rolex watch worth RM21,700 also from the same contractor, at the same address about 9pm on March 10, 2009.
It was apparently to approve and hasten progress payment claims for a Sime Darby Engineering Sdn Bhd, Pasir Gudang, contract and sub-contract.
The charge was brought under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (MACC Act) which carries a maximum 20-year imprisonment and fine of not less than five times the bribe or RM10,000 whichever is higher, upon conviction.
As for the third and fourth count, Md Zaki was charged under the MACC Act with asking for and accepting two designer watches worth RM32,980 and RM60,000 during March and May 2009 respectively, as inducement to secure a Letter of Intent for the same contractor and approve and hasten progress payment claims for a contract and sub-contract carried out by the contractor's company.
Upon conviction of each count, the accused faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and fine of not less than five times the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
On the last count, Md Zaki was charged with asking for RM33,600 from the shame contractor for a set of furniture on Nov 28 2007.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi presented 26 witnesses throughout his case and Md Zaki was represented by T. Vijayasandran. - Bernama
Source : The Star
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