Council secretary claims trial to two counts of graft

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JOHOR BAHARU: Simpang Renggam District Council secretary Mohd Helmi Sha’ri claimed trial in the Sessions Court yesterday to two counts of accepting RM50,000 in bribes last year as gratification to help an individual’s companies secure road works projects valued at RM1.025 million in the council area.

Mohd Helmi Sha’ri

Mohd Helmi Sha’ri

Mohd Helmi, 29, claiming he was made the scapegoat, pleaded not guilty to accepting two cheques for RM48,000 and RM2,000, respectively, from one Zainal Abidin Ibrahim to sponsor a package tour to Indonesia in April last year.

Judge Aliman Musri allowed Mohd Helmi bail of RM10,000 and set March 7 to 18 next year (2011) for the hearing. Mohd Helmi is accused of having accepted the bribes on April 13 last year at the Indahpura Restaurant in Kulaijaya.

He was charged under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.

Section 24 of the act provides for a fine of RM10,000 or five times the amount of bribe, whichever is higher, and a jail term of up to 20 years upon conviction. MACC Deputy Public Prosecutor Syafinas Shabudin prosecuted while Mohd Helmi was represented by counsel Rosli Kamarudin. — Bernama