Civil servant claims trial to six charges of abusing position

JOHOR BARU: A civil servant claimed trial at the Session Court here to six charges of abusing her position three years ago to solicit projects amounting to RM13,480 for a company that belonged to her husband.

Nurul Syahirah Omar, 31, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to her by the court interpreter in front of Judge Ahmad Kamal Arifin on Sunday (April 16).

According to the charge sheets, the accused, who works as the Administrative Assistant (Clerical/Operations) (Grade N19) at the Mersing Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), used her position to get a quotation for Amir Barakah Enterprise.

The quotation is worth RM13,480 and was provided through the market study form and was for the supply of vehicle parts, office equipment, department vehicle repairs, equipment for broadcast and connectivity, electrical appliances, and maintenance of passenger vehicles.

The offence was allegedly committed at the Mersing DID office between August and November 2020.

If found guilty of the offence under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, she faces a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by MACC prosecution officer Nik Lokman Hakim Nik Mohd Nor, while the accused was represented by Muhammad Faizzudin Abd Ra'fik.

During proceedings, Nik Lokman Hakim said that any offence under Section 23(1) is non-bailable; however, if the court were to allow bail, he suggested that the court set bail at RM30,000 with one surety along with an additional term for the accused to hand over her passport and to report to the MACC office every month.

Muhammad Faizzudin, in mitigation, informed the court that the accused is currently finishing her degree and master’s degrees, which require RM15,000 in expenses.

“The accused is also taking care of her five-year-old son and her two elderly parents. She has also been suspended from work after these charges were issued to her,” he added.

The court then set RM7,000 as bail along with the additional terms.

Nurul Syahirah posted bail.

The court fixed May 16 for next mention.