Malike Mohamed, a senior quantity surveyor at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), vehemently denied nine charges in the Sessions Court, accusing him of accepting cash bribes and a motorcycle totalling RM30,000. The charges specifically detail eight instances where Malike allegedly received cash, amounting to RM14,500, from Azman Yusof, the representative of AMZ Sepakat Sdn Bhd. These transactions, said to have taken place between May 15, 2019, and July 6, 2020, were purportedly in exchange for expediting an interim payment claim process for AMZ Sepakat Sdn Bhd with UniSZA.
In a surprising twist, Malike is also accused of accepting a Yamaha Y15ZR motorcycle from Azman in August 2019. The twist lies in the fact that Malike was allegedly aware of the connection between the giver and his position at UniSZA, adding an element of premeditation to the charges.
The legal consequences for Malike are substantial, with charges laid under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. This section carries a severe maximum penalty – up to 20 years in prison and a fine of RM10,000. Additionally, Malike faces charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which holds a maximum punishment of two years' imprisonment or a fine.
During the court proceedings, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor Tengku Nurul Haziqah Tuan Yacob proposed bail set at RM12,000 for all charges. Alongside this, three stringent conditions were imposed on Malike – not to interfere with prosecution witnesses, a monthly reporting requirement to the MACC office, and the surrender of his passport to the court.
Responding to the proposal, Judge Mohd Azhar Othman granted bail at RM12,000 in one surety. Importantly, the judge approved the additional conditions presented by the prosecution, underscoring the seriousness of the charges.
The legal proceedings will continue, with March 10 scheduled for mention and document management. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within academic institutions and sends a strong message about the potential repercussions for those involved in such illicit activities.
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