BUTTERWORTH: An administrative assistant at a government department has been charged at the Sessions Court here today with five counts of graft involving RM8,890.
Mohd Zulkrnin Abdul Rashid, 49, claimed trial to the charges which were read to him before judge Zulhazmi Abdullah.
He was charged with committing all the offences at Institut Latihan Perindustrian (ILP) Arumugam Pillai, Nibong Tebal between February and July, 2020.
On the first count, Mohd Zulkrnin is alleged to have used his position as a Grade N22 administrative assistant at the institute to get an incentive for recommending Syarikat Salam Rizqi Maju Enterprise for the service of taking students from SMK Machang Bubok to ILP Arumugam, round trip, worth RM550.
The company is owned by the accused's son, Mohamad Hafizul Asyraf Mohd Zulkrnin.
On the second charge, Mohd Zulkrnin is alleged to have procured the supply of Covid-19 posters for use by the Human Resources Department worth RM950 from the same company on June 19, 2020.
He is also alleged to have used his position to obtain the supply of preventive equipment and paraphenalia for standard operating procedures (SOP) for the Covid-19 pandemic worth RM4,790.
The offences are allegedly committed by the accused on July 18, 2020 at the same place, namely ILP Arumugam Pillai, Nibong Tebal.
On the fourth count, Mohd Zulkrnin is alleged to have obtained food and drink supplies for the use of the institute worth RM600 while for the fifth charge, the accused is charged with obtaining the supply of the national emblem and the installation of dark mirrors for department vehicles worth RM2,000.
For the fourth and fifth charges, the accused is charged with committing the offences on July 23, 2020.
Mohd Zulkrnin was charged with committing the offences under Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Azlan Basri asked bail to be set at RM10,000 with one surety.
He also requested that the accused's passport be handed over to the court until the end of the case, that he must report to the nearest MACC office once a month and must not disturb or approach witnesses in the case.
Mohd Zulkrnin, who was unrepresented, pleaded for bail to be reduced.
"I humbly appeal to the court for a reduced bail. I only earn RM1,200 a month and must support my family and one of my children who is still in school.
"Also, my wife has asked for a divorce," he said.
Zulhazmi then set bail at RM8,000 with one surety as well and granted the prosecution the three conditions.
He fixed Oct 21 for case mention.