Company CEO charged with bribery over branded watches

BUTTERWORTH: A chief executive officer (CEO) of the Penang Tithes Management Centre (PUZ) has been charged with three counts of bribery in a Sessions Court here.

Datuk Azman Abdul Samat, 50, who is a Grade One CEO of PUZ, claimed trial to three counts of receiving three branded watches worth a total of about RM3,500 from three separate individuals between 2010 and 2015 on the Penang mainland.

He is alleged to have received the watches without return from the individuals who are company owners without return who in his knowledge, are related to his official work.

The charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code carry a jail term of up to two years or a fine or both, on conviction.

Sessions judge Sitarun Nisa Abdul Aziz fixed Aug 21 for case management pending the submission of documents and set bail at RM1,500 in one surety for each count.

At the same court, another officer of PUZ was also brought to court to face two counts under Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which carries up to 20 years imprisonment if found guilty.

PUZ Head of Management for Asnaf Quality and Economy Development Division Mohd Wardi Ramli pleaded not guilty to two counts of abuse of power.

He allegedly used his position to obtain an inducement for himself when making an application and recommending Syarikat Al Global through a JPAM application to supply agriculture items worth a total of more than RM10,000 in which he has interest in the company on Nov 11 and Nov 14, last year at his office in PUZ.

Sitarun Nisa fixed Aug 14 for case management pending submission of documents and set bail at RM5,000 in one surety for each count.