Hamzah’s son claims trial to bribery charge

KUALA LUMPUR: The son of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a bribery charge amounting to RM100,000.

Muhammad Faisal Hamzah, 40, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob here on Wednesday (June 5).

“I plead not guilty,” he said.

According to the charge sheet, Muhammad Faisal had dishonestly accepted a RM100,000 bribe from one Izmir Abd Hamid as an inducement for Heitech Padu Bhd to appoint Rimba Merpati Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Per My Solutions as marketing consultants due to his influence.

The companies were then paid a commission of RM700,000 after Heitech Padu Bhd was awarded a RM33mil ‘Supply, Rental, Implementation, Training, Support and Maintenance of Security Infrastructure’ tender by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).

The offence was allegedly committed at an office in Publika Shopping Gallery, Jalan Dutamas 1 in March 2018.

Muhammad Faisal was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a maximum 20-year jail term and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification, or RM10,000; whichever is higher, if convicted.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat offered bail at RM30,000 in one surety.

He also asked for the court to impose additional conditions on the accused, namely for the accused to surrender his passport and to report to the MACC office monthly beginning July, and for the accused not to contact prosecution witnesses.

Muhammad Faisal's lawyer Ravinder Singh Dhalliwal asked for a lower bail amount of RM25,000.

He told the court that his client needed to travel to Thailand monthly as he was in the process of opening a hostel there.

DPP Mahadi replied that the proposed bail sum was appropriate as the amount of bribe stated on the charge was RM100,000.

“We should take into consideration the nature of this charge and the background of the accused.

“The accused does not have dire financial issues and he is also the son of a former senior minister," he said.

The prosecution added that the accused can apply for a temporary release of his passport should he require to go abroad.

Judge Rozina fixed bail at RM25,000 in one surety and allowed the additional conditions.