KUALA LUMPUR: A former CEO has been charged at the Sessions Court here with two counts of cheating a company of community projects amounting to RM3.38mil.
Muhamad Faizal Aliar, 39, formerly of Johor’s water company, Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd, pleaded not guilty to both charges before Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad here on Monday (Jan 27).
According to the first charge sheet, Faizal allegedly deceived Ranhill SAJ into making a RM82,500 payment for "Program Imarah Ramadan 2023" into a Maybank account when the event did not take place.
For the second charge sheet, Faizal allegedly deceived Ranhill SAJ into donating RM3.3mil for "Program Prihatin Komuniti Madani 2023", an event which also did not happen.
Both payments were allegedly channelled into a Maybank account belonging to Pertubuhan Inspirasi Prihatin Malaysia, whereby Ranhill SAJ would not have made the payments if it had not been deceived to do so.
The offences were allegedly committed at Menara Felda Platinum Park here on April 13 and April 14, 2023.
Faizal was accused under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, whipping and a fine, if convicted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Asraf Mohamed Tahir offered bail at RM200,000 for both counts.
Muhamad Faizal's lawyer, S Preakas, asked for a lower amount of RM50,000 for the charges.
He told the court that Muhamad Faizal is a father of four children including two who have special needs.
“My client is now unemployed and undergoing treatment for his spinal cord injury,” Preakas said.
The lawyer also said that Muhamad Faizal cooperated with the authorities during the investigation.
The court fixed bail at RM100,000 in one surety for both charges.
The case is set for mention on March 3.
