ALOR STAR: Two contractors from Penang were acquitted and discharged of three counts of corruption amounting to RM135,000 by the Special Court for Corruption here today.
Nor Azamuddin Ahmad, 48, and his co-accused Farid Idris Khan, 37, were found not guilty of the charge of accepting the money as an inducement to obtain 100 metric tonnes of government-subsidised Super Special Tempatan 15 rice meant for low-income earners for two private companies.
In announcing the decision, Judge Zanol Rashid Hussain said that the duo had raised reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case.
Upon the verdict being delivered, Azamuddin and Farid, who were in the dock, were seen exchanging smiles before hugging their friends and relatives who were present in the courtroom.
The duo was accused of accepting the said amount from entrepreneur Datuk Noridan Spee Yee, 56, between May and July, 2014.
They were both charged with accepting RM45,000 on May 4, June 6, and July 2, respectively from Nordin at about 10pm at Persiaran KTC 4/3, Kulim Techno City Golf View, Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kulim .
The charge sheet stated that the money was an inducement for the accused to obtain a quota of 100 metric tonnes of subsidised Super Special Tempatan 15 rice from the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry for MNS Utara Enterprise and MFM Utara Enterprise for the month of May, June and July 2014.
They were charged under Section 16 (a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which was read together with Section 28 of the Act.
The charge carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe.
MACC deputy public prosecutor A Hafiizh Abu Bakar prosecuted, and both the accused were represented by counsel Ang Chun Pun.