Ex-Bank Negara exec jailed 3 months, fined RM157,925

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KUALA LUMPUR: A former Bank Negara executive was sentenced to three months jail and RM157,925 fine by the Sessions Court here yesterday on five counts of corruption.Judge Mohamad Sakeri Mamat convicted Mahathir Shahabudin, 52, who was attached to the Cleaning Unit of the Property and Services Department of the bank, after ruling that he had failed to cast a doubt on the prosecution’s case.

He said Mahathir’s defence was one of mere denial and he had failed to call as a witness an individual known as Hashim who he claimed was the person dealing with the contractors.

Mahathir was sentenced to three months jail and RM10,000 fine in default three months jail each on the first three counts, three months jail and RM85,050 fine in default six months jail on the fourth and three months jail and RM42,875 fine in default five months on the fifth charge.

The jail terms are to run concurrently.

Mohamed Sakeri allowed a stay of execution of the sentences pending appeal and also an application by Mahathir to pay the fines in instalments in three months starting yesterday.

Mahathir committed the offences in relation to the award of contracts to two companies involved in garbage collection and carpet cleaning in the bank.

On the first three charges he received a total of RM1,400 from the director of Syarikat First Choices Services, Anuar Paharudin, through his savings account at Menara Maybank in Jalan Tun Perak on three occasions between Oct 20 and Dec 2, 2005, as gratification to retain the company’s garbage disposal contract with Bank Negara.

On the fourth and fifth charges he received cheques for RM8,575 dan RM17,010 from the director of Indramuz Sdn Bhd, M Azhar Ibrahim, at the same place on Dec 30, 2005, and Feb 16 the following year as gratification to call the company for carpet cleaning works at the bank.

Each offence under section 11(a) Anti-Corruption Act carries a jail term of 14 day to 20 years and a fine not less than five times the amount of graft involved.

Mahathir was represented by counsel Vasudevan Appu while deputy public prosecutor Mohd Asnawi Abu Hanipah appeared for the prosecution. — Bernama