Headmaster claims trial to abuse of power charge

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KUCHING: A headmaster claimed trial in the Sessions Court here yesterday to a charge of abuse of power for gratification involving a contract to supply cooked food amounting to RM86,190.

Ismail Idris appeared before Judge Nixon Kennedy Kumbong, who released him on a RM10,000 court bail in one surety.

The court fixed Sept 28 for case management and trial from Nov 13-15.

Ismail was also ordered to present himself at the state Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office here every Saturday.

He is facing a charge under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum 20 years’ jail and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

The headmaster was accused of instructing main contractor Mazuri Katering to appoint another caterer, Ismas Catering, to supply cooked food under the Supplementary Food Programme to SK Gita 2.

The school is currently known as Sekolah Kebangsaan Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Daud.

The offence was allegedly committed on July 1 last year.

It was said that Ismas Catering belongs to Ismail’s wife Saloma Kipli. MACC officer Ikhwan Mohd Ibrahim prosecuted, while the accused was represented by counsel Khairil Azmi Hasbi.