SHAH ALAM: The Sessions Court yesterday ordered Selayang Municipal Council former president Datuk Bakaruddin Othman, to enter his defence on a charge of utilising the local authority’s funds for the maintenance of his house.
Judge Asmadi Hussin concluded that the prosecution had established an element of misuse of authority by Bakaruddin and set two days from Aug 9 for the defence hearing.
Bakaruddin, 58, who is currently an administration and diplomatic officer with the Public Services Department, allegedly abused his position as president of the Council to approve a bribe of RM26,500 for the maintenance of his house in Kampung Laksamana, Batu Caves in Selangor at a council meeting on Oct 27, 2001.
He faces between a minimum of 14 days and 20 years in prison and fine of not less than five times the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction under the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi and Nik
Azrin Zairin Nik Abdullah prosecuted, while Bakaruddin was represented by Akbardin Abdul Kader and Jagjit Singh. — Bernama