Graft case principal out on bail

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IN DENIAL: Junaidi Zukipli leaving the courtroom.

KUCHING: The principal of a school here charged with gratification of RM12,000 will have his case heard at the Sessions Court here on April 2 to 5.

Judge Ahmad Azahari Abdul Hamid released Junaidi Zulkipli on RM10,000 court bail with one local surety and fixed March 26 for the pre trial case management.

According to the brief facts of the case, the 58-year-old, who was the principal of SMK Pesantren Abdul Taib Mahmud in Sadong Jaya, is accused to have corruptly obtained gratification from one Saiful Bahri Ahmad Abidi through Norassimah Kasim about 8am on Feb 16, 2009.

The gratification was an inducement for producing the school’s performance evaluation recommendation and to expedite the process of claiming food ration for the school for the month of January.

He allegedly committed the offence at the school’s canteen.

Gratification comes under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and punishable under Section 24 of the same Act.

If found guilty, Junaidi could face an imprisonment term not exceeding 20 years, and a fine not less than five times the value of the gratification, which is the subject matter of the offence, where such gratification is capable of being valued or is of pecuniary nature, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officer Lau Chin Hao prosecuted.