KUALA LUMPUR: A former National Farmers Association (Nafas) officer claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to two counts of receiving a US$300,000 bribe from a Singaporean fertiliser supplier company.
Nordin Ibrohim, 77, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out here on Tuesday (Jan 28).
According to the charge sheets, Nordin allegedly received the bribe - US$200,000 and US$100,000 - from one Kim Jong Kwa, who was a company director at Sung Chang Asia Pte Ltd, as inducement for helping the company to be appointed as the supplier for fertiliser for paddy farmers under Nafas.
The offences were allegedly committed at a bank in Plaza Mont Kiara on Nov 16 and Dec 21, 2022.
Nordin was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) 2009 and faces a maximum 20 years imprisonment and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.
Prosecuting officer Abdul Muntaqim Abdul Aziz from the MACC offered bail between RM200,000 and RM300,000 in one surety for the charges.
He sought for the court to impose additional conditions whereby the accused must surrender his passport to the court until the disposal of the case, for the accused to report himself to the nearest MACC office, and not to harass the prosecution witnesses.
"This is no regular offence as it involves government funds. When there is corruption, work and investment opportunities are affected and business procedures become difficult," Abdul Muntaqim said.
Lawyer Datuk Zamri Idrus, who represented the accused, however asked for a lower bail amount.
He said Nordin has to support his family and suffers from diabetes.
Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad fixed bail at RM100,000 in one surety for both charges and allowed the additional conditions sought by the prosecution.
The case is set for mention on Feb 26.
