A civil servant was charged with asking and receiving bribes over a land matter.
Ali Hashin Nasip, 54, who is a driver at the the Assistant Collector of Land Revenue in Kudat office, pleaded not guilty before Session Court Judge Abu Bakar Manat, to the charge against him on Tuesday.
On the first count, Ali is accused of asking RM10,000 bribe from one Chong Fah Shin @ Danny, 45, as an inducement to speed up an approval application for the extension of the lease period of Chong’s land in which Ali actually has no power and capacity to approve such application.
The offence took place on Sept 5, 2020 at 9.50am at the Kudat District Land Office.
On the second count, Ali allegedly accepted RM5,000 from Chong for the same purpose at the Restoran Jamal Salim Curry Hour & Catering in Sembulan, near here at 1.56pm on Sept 19, 2020.
The offence under Section 16(a)(b)of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and punishable under Section 24 of the same Act carries a jail term of up to 20 years, and a fine of not less than five times the amount of bribes received or RM10,000, whichever is higher, on conviction.
The court fixed Nov 8 for pre-trial case management.
Ali was released on bail of RM7,000 with RM3,500 deposited in a local surety.
The court also ordered Ali to report to MACC’s office once in two months and his passport if any, to be impounded by the court until the disposal of his case.
Ali was also warned to not tamper with the prosecution witnesses.
MACC Prosecuting Officer Norsham Saharom appeared for the prosecution while Ali was not represented.
