Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

SANDAKAN: A 62-year-old government retiree pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to a charge of misappropriating RM45,000 belonging to the Sandakan District Mini Bus Operators Association for the payment of 18 additional bus services during the closing ceremony of the 2017 Sabah Games (Saga).

The accused, Mohammed Hasdi Astan, is alleged to have committed the offence at about 10am on Dec 20, 2017 at the association’s office here.

He was charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of imprisonment for not less than six months and not more than five years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Dzulkarnaen Rousan Hasbi, sought bail of RM15,000 with a local surety, reporting to the nearest MACC office once every two months, surrender of passport if any and an order not to interfere with prosecution witnesses, while defence counsel Rowiena Rasid applied for a reduction citing the accused’s age, health, family responsibilities and residence in Sandakan.

Sessions Court judge Elsie Primus allowed bail of RM5,000 with two local sureties, subject to the additional conditions sought by the prosecution and fixed March 9 for the next mention.