Datuk pleads not guilty to bribery charge

PETALING JAYA: A former Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) director and a plan designer with the department's Kuala Lumpur office pleaded not guilty in the Shah Alam Special Sessions Graft Court today to a charge of accepting bribes from a company owner for helping him to obtain a sand-mining contract.
Datuk Abu Bakar Mohd Isa, 60, who is a former DID director, and Mohd Nasir Mohd Isa, 44, were jointly charged with accepting the bribe in the form of accommodation in Avani Sepang Gold Coast Resort worth RM2,097.28 and RM1,252.80 respectively from Mazlan Jamaluddin as a reward for appointing Warna Generasi Sdn Bhd to undertake sand-mining activities in Batu Dam, Gombak.
"Abu Bakar and Mohd Nasir were charged with committing the offence on Nov 29 and 30 last year at about 10.11am in Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort in Selangor," MACC said in a statement today.
The offence, under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 provides 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.
Judge Datuk Noradidah Ahmad allowed Abu Bakar bail of RM10,000 in one surety, while Mohd Nasir was allowed bail of RM8,000 in one surety.
The case was fixed for mention on Nov 18.
Meanwhile, Mohd Nasir faced two more charges later in the evening at Jalan Duta Special Sessions Graft Court.
He was charged with accepting a RM10,500 and RM10,000 from Mazlan as an inducement for Abu Bakar not to interfere and to retain Syarikat Warna Generasi Sdn. Bhd's sand-mining contract.
The two offences were committed on May 13 and June 3 this year.
Mohd Nasir will face charges under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.
Judge Rosbiahanin Arifin allowed him bail of RM5,000 in one surety for each charge.
The case was fixed for mention on Nov 18.