KUALA LUMPUR: A former clerk at a legal firm was today charged with two counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM192,353.77 three years ago.
Shah Helmi Maula Muhamd (correct) Sallih,29, pleaded not guilty to the charges which were read out before Sessions Court Judge Suzana Hussin.
Shah Helmi, in his capacity as a clerk at the accounting section and entrusted with control over the firm's clients account, had allegedly taken the money for his own use.
According to the first and second charge, he was accused of fraudulently taking RM75,793.50 and RM116,560.27 from Tetuan Asiah and Hisam's client's accounts.
The offences were allegedly committed at the Maybank Islamic Branch at Dataran Maybank in Kuala Lumpur between Aug 18,2020 and June 28,2021; and between Sept 7,2021 and June 20,2022.
Shah Helmi told the court he understood all the charges framed under Section 408 of the Penal Code.
He faces a jail term of up to 14 years with whipping and a fine if found guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Asraf Mohamed Tahir urged the court to set RM20,000 bail with one surety for all charges.
He also asked that the accused surrender his passport to the court and to report to the nearest MACC office monthly.
Shah Helmi's counsel Syed Muhamad Akhyar Syed Hamid did not object to the bail amount and the additional conditions.
Suzana later set RM20,000 bail with one surety and allowed the additional conditions.
She also ordered the accused to report at the nearest MACC office on the first Monday of every month.
The case is set for mention on Nov 27.
At a separate court, Shah Helmi faced a money laundering charge for transferring RM131,568.10 from his account which were proceeds from illegal activities between May 6,2021 and March 20,2022 at the same bank premises.
He was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
It carries a maximum jail term of 15 years, a fine not less than five times the sum of the illegal activities or RM5 million, which ever is higher.
Shah Helmi pleaded not guilty to the charge before Judge Rozina Ayob.
Rozina allowed the accused to be bailed using the same bail amount at the earlier court.
She also allowed the prosecution's application for the case to be transferred and to be heard before Suzana.
The court fixed the same date for mention.