Ex-COO denies accepting RM70,000

GEORGE TOWN: Four men, inclu-ding a former top executive at Penang’s public transport operator, have been charged with corruption in separate cases.

Former Rapid Penang chief operating officer Mejar (Rtd) Mohd Shukri Abdul Rahman claimed trial to a charge of taking a RM70,000 bribe.

He is accused of accepting the money from Jayonik MSC Sdn Bhd to issue a letter awarding the company an RM8.4mil project to develop and supply a bus simulator system.

Mohd Shukri, 54, is alleged to have committed the offence at the Maybank branch in Penang Times Square on April 20, 2015.

If convicted, he faces a jail term of up to 20 years or a fine not less than five times the bribe amount.

Sessions Court judge Norsalha Hamzah set bail at RM50,000 in one surety and fixed Aug 16 for mention. Mohd Shukri made bail.

Earlier, Northeast District Lower Syariah Court staff member Mohamad Sharriff, 53, claimed trial to a charge of cheating one Mohammad Alif Jimin of RM1,500.

The father of four had allegedly deceived Alif into believing that he could help solve his khalwat (close proximity) case, in 2015.

If convicted, he faces a maximum jail sentence of 10 years, whipping and a fine.

The accused is out on bail, set at RM5,000 in one surety.

In another case, Penang Island City Council enforcement officer Abdul Halim Mat Kasa, 55, claimed trial to two charges of cheating a car wash operator.

Abdul Halim is accused of deceiving Ch’ng Chey Lee into believing that he could help prevent any council action against Ch’ng for not having business licences for his two car wash centres.

He is alleged to have taken a total of RM500 from Ch’ng on two separate occasions in 2015.

The court set bail at RM6,000 in one surety which Abdul Halim posted.

Lastly, policeman Sjn V. Ambualergan, 57, claimed trial to two counts of asking for and taking a bribe of RM3,000 to drop a drug case last year.

He is attached to the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division at the Northeast District Police Headquarters.

He made bail, set at RM8,000 in one surety.