KUALA LUMPUR: The chairman of Pertubuhan Kebajikan Serantau Muslim pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here on Monday (Jan 12) to a charge involving the misuse of RM207,000 in funds intended for humanitarian missions to Myanmar, Yemen, Syria and Palestine seven years ago, Sinar Harian reports.
Mohd Hakim Mohd Nor, 39, entered the plea after the charge was read before Judge Azrul Darus, the Malay language daily reported.
The man is accused, in his capacity as chairman, of dishonestly misappropriating RM207,000 belonging to the non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The money was donated for humanitarian aid missions carried out in collaboration with NGOs in Myanmar, Yemen, Syria and Palestine, and was allegedly misused at a bank branch on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin here on Dec 27, 2019.
The father of three was charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which carries a sentence of between six months and five years’ imprisonment, whipping and a fine, upon conviction.
During proceedings, deputy public prosecutor Asmaa’ Zamri proposed bail of RM50,000 with one surety.
She said the proposed bail should include additional conditions including reporting to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), surrendering his passport to the court, and not interfering with prosecution witnesses.
However, defence counsel Azizzul Shariman Mat Yusoff argued that the proposed bail amount was too high, as the accused had cooperated fully since investigations began.
He said the accused had arrived at court as early as 8am after being instructed to attend to face the charge, indicating a very low risk of absconding.
“My client will be charged in other cases in Melaka and Perak on Tuesday (Jan 13) and Wednesday (Jan 14), so I request that bail be set at a more affordable amount.
“An excessively high amount would make it difficult for him to raise the money before facing charges in those two states,” he said.
He added that the accused, who was wearing a black shirt, did not pose any risk of flight.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Judge Azrul granted bail of RM10,000 with one surety, and ordered the accused to comply with the additional conditions proposed by the prosecution.
The court fixed March 11 for mention of the case.
Previously, the media reported that the MACC had uncovered the misappropriation of funds from an NGO, believed to involve public donations totalling RM26mil.
A source said the scheme was exposed following the arrests of five individuals, including the chairman, secretary, treasurer and a finance officer, in an operation known as Ops Serantau.
The alleged misappropriation of public donations is believed to have been ongoing since 2015.
Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the commission had seized various assets worth more than RM8mil.
Among the items seized were jewellery worth RM100,000, over RM1mil in cash, cryptocurrency accounts worth RM650,000, and four houses valued at more than RM1.4mil.
