TAWAU: An enforcement assistant of the Road Transport Department (RTD) pleaded not guilty to two charges of soliciting and accepting a bribe of RM1,200 in the Corruption Special Sessions Court, here, Wednesday.
Mahasan Nordin, 36, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Judge Jason Anak Juga.
For the first charge, he was charged with accepting a bribe of RM1,200 from Tia Ngee Lun, 45, at around 3.20pm at Batu 3, Jalan Segama, Lahad Datu on Feb 28, 2020.
The bribe was to release Tia’s Sumbermas Trading Company lorry under Section 23 (1) and Section 90 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
For the second charge, the accused who was on duty at the Seizure Unit of RTD Lahad Datu, was accused of asking for a bribe of RM1,200 from Tia for the same purpose, at 4pm at the same place.
Both charges were carried out under Section 17 (a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (ASPRM) Act 2009 punishable under Section 24 (1) of the same Act.
The Section provides for a prison sentence of not more than 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.
The judge set bail of RM10,000 with two local sureties and set the condition that he reports to the MACC Lahad Datu office once a month and surrender his international passport to the court.
The court then set March 8 for re-mention.
Earlier, the accused, who was not represented, pleaded for the bail amount to be reduced as he had many dependants, namely parents and siblings in the village.
The unmarried accused also has a housing deduction of RM1,700 monthly and bears various bills in the village.
MACC Prosecuting Officer, Norsham Saharom had requested the court to offer RM10,000 bail for the accused.
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