KUALA LUMPUR (July 2, 2013): An Election Commission (EC) officer and an operations manager of a transport company pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of accepting a RM80,000 bribe from a businessman.
Muhammad Firdaus Mohd Ramli, 34, who is EC division secretary (Data Analysis) in Putrajaya, and Fizal Kamarudin@Fauzi, 33, of Mega Lavende Sdn Bhd, are jointly charged with accepting the bribe from Mohd Noor Mokhid, the owner of Southair Travel and Tours Services Sdn Bhd, in return for appointing the company as the official transport provider for foreign observers during the 13th general election.
They allegedly committed the offence at Restoran Al-Rawsha, No.8, Jalan Kampung Pandan here at 1pm on Oct 16 last year.
The offence, under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, provides for a maximum imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Sophian Zakaria, from MACC, asked for bail to be set at RM20,000 in one surety for each accused, saying that the case was of public interest.
Mohd Sophian also informed the court that Fizal would be charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court tomorrow for soliciting a bribe.
Lawyer Datuk Salehuddin Saidin, representing both the accused, asked for bail to be reduced to RM5,000 as his clients cooperated with the MACC during investigations.
He said Muhammad Firdaus had two children, while Fizal had a child who was suffering from leukemia and undergoing chemotherapy.
Judge Rozilah Salleh allowed Muhammad Firdaus and Fizal bail of RM10,000 each in one security and set July 10 for mention. – Bernama
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