Facing the law: Azman arriving at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Two senior officers from the military academy have claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and misappropriation of property amounting to almost RM1mil four years ago.
Academy director Lt Col Azman Mohamed Yasin, 57, and former academy commander Brig Gen (R) Mohd Adkaa Solahuddin, 63, from the Akademi Latihan Ketenteraan Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), were charged separately at the same court.
They pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out before Sessions Court judge Mahyon Talib here yesterday.
In the first and second charge, they allegedly committed CBT by each approving two payments of RM500,000 and RM420,000 belonging to the academy’s welfare fund for investment through an unregistered financial institution.
The offences were allegedly committed at the academy at UPNM in Kem Perdana Sungai Besi between Aug 3 and Sept 23,2016.
The charge under Section 409 of the Penal Code carries jail time of up to 20 years with whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
They also faced an alternative charge each of allegedly misappropriating the same amount of monies at the same place and time.
The charge under Section 403 of the Penal Code carries a sentence of up to five years’ jail, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Shafini Mustafha offered bail at RM100,000 in one surety for all charges faced by each accused.
She urged the court to impose additional conditions, namely for the accused to surrender their passports to the court and report to the nearest Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office monthly.
Lawyer Mohd Amir Aizat Abdul Rani, who represented Azman, said his client was still serving in the military and had no other source of income.
“He has four children, three of whom are still schooling. His wife is a schoolteacher, ” Amir said.
He asked the court not to impose an excessive amount of bail on the grounds that its purpose was only to secure attendance in court.
“I ask for bail between RM15,000 and RM20,000. His passport is still with the MACC, ” he said.
Lawyer Nur Asyikin Zakaria, who represented Adkaa, asked for the bail to be paid in stages before or on Dec 7, adding that his livelihood was dependent on his pension.
“My client has a heart condition and is seeking treatment at the National Heart Institute, ” she said.
The court allowed bail at RM80,000 in one surety for each accused and imposed the additional conditions sought by the prosecution.
It also allowed Adkaa’s application to pay the balance of his bail before or on Dec 7.
The cases were fixed for mention on Dec 22.
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