KUALA LUMPUR: Social media influencer Alif Teega has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here over two charges of misappropriating RM63,605.48 in funds meant for religious charity programmes.
Alif, or his full name Mohd Hazalif Mohd Hazani, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi here on Friday.
"Saya mohon dibicarakan (I claim trial)," said the 30-year-old.
According to the first charge, Aliff was accused of dishonestly misappropriating RM36,047.35 - which was meant for donations to fund breaking fast programmes in Mecca, Syria and Palestine - at CIMB Bank, KL Gateway, here on April 26.
For the second charge sheet, Alif allegedly misappropriated RM27,558.13, meant for 'Jom! Sertai Infaq Daging Qurban' programme, at the same bank on June 15.
He was charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code which carries imprisonment between four months to five years, whipping and a fine, if convicted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Yasmin Salleh offered bail between RM50,000 and RM100,000 for both charges.
The DPP also sought for the court to impose an additional condition for the accused to surrender his passport to the court and to report his attendance to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) until the completion of the case.
Alif's lawyer Mohd Shahrullah Khan told the court that his client has financial difficulties and could only afford to pay RM10,000 for bail.
He said the MACC had frozen Aliff's money and properties.
"He (Alif) was told yesterday he will be charged today. He and his elder brother, who will be the bailor, did not manage to raise enough money.
“He can only afford RM10,000 and that is all they have,” Shahrullah said.
The lawyer said Alif cooperated with the MACC even after his remand expired and whenever he was called by investigators to have his statement recorded.
On the issue of passport, Shahrullah said the anti-graft agency was still holding on to Alif's travel document, hence there was no risk of him absconding or skipping court proceedings.
DPP Farah Yasmin replied that the proposed RM10,000 bail did not reflect the severity of the offences.
“The bail sum proposed is reasonable but we leave it to the court to decide,” she said.
Azura then fixed bail at RM50,000 in one surety and ordered the accused to report to the MACC headquarters monthly.
Alif was ordered to surrender his passport to the court.
The court fixed Oct 21 for mention.
When met briefly by the press, Alif's wife, Aisyah Hijanah Azhari, said that they would cooperate with the authorities.
"We will give our fullest cooperation until the case concludes," she said.
