KOTA KINABALU: An army pensioner was charged with bribery involving RM15,000 over cleaning works at the army camp in Lok Kawi.
Azman Ariffin, 62, from the peninsula pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court judge Jason Juga.
The charge stated that the accused as an officer attached to the 5th Infantry Brigade, Lok Kawi had corruptly accepted RM15,000 from a man.
The said money was for the payment to issue an offer letter for cleaning works at the 5th Brigade Camp for the contract period between June 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015.
He allegedly committed the offence in August 2014, at the main gate of Suria Sabah shopping mall.
Azman was charged under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24 of the same act.
It carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe received or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
The court fixed May 23 for pre-trial case management.
Azman was released on bail of RM20,000 with RM2,000 to be deposited in court with one local surety.
The court ordered his international passport to be surrendered to the court with the liberty to apply for a temporary return in the event that he needed to travel.
He was also ordered to report to the nearest MACC office once every two months and not to harass any prosecution witnesses, pending disposal of the case.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Nurul Izzati Sapifee prosecuted.
Counsel Abdul Fikry Jaafar Abdullah represented the accused. Abdul Fikry appeared in court on behalf of counsel Amli Nohin.