KUALA LUMPUR: Another top-ranking military officer has been charged in court for alleged corruption.
Joint Forces headquarters chief of staff Major General Datuk Mohamed Fauzi Kamis pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to a charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM5mil.
The 56-year-old said he understood the charge after it was read out before judge Suzana Hussin on Friday (Jan 30).
According to the charge sheet, Fauzi was allegedly entrusted with RM5mil in a bank account that belonged to the Armed Forces Welfare Fund (TKAT), and he had allegedly committed CBT on the property by dishonestly misusing it by making additional investment at Precious Amber International Bhd without the approval of TKAT's investment committee.
He allegedly committed the offence at the Defence Ministry, Jalan Padang Tembak, Kementah on Nov 27, 2023.
The charge was framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code which carries imprisonment between two and 20 years, with caning and a possible fine, upon conviction.
"I plead not guilty. I ask for a trial," Fauzi said.
Deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How offered RM300,000 bail in one surety and sought for the court to impound the accused's passport.
"The accused is still serving in the forces. There is a flight risk as he frequently goes abroad," he said.
Lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaharil Muhaiyar, who represented Fauzi, said his client has three school-going children.
"This is an interesting case as the accused is still in service and carrying two stars on his shoulder.
"Although he does go abroad, I have no hesitation if the court decides to impound his passport. We will make applications (to retrieve the passport) if he needs to leave the country.
"But a RM300,000 bail is exorbitant. The offence is not swindling the money, rather it is misuse of money," Ahmad Zaharil said.
The lawyer sought a bail amount of RM70,000 and said his client would attend every proceeding.
DPP Law stood up and said that while the prosecution has no objection to reduce the amount of bail as the accused has agreed to surrender his passport, the amount should not be RM70,000.
Judge Suzana then fixed bail at RM100,000 with one surety.
She also ordered the accused to surrender his passport to the court pending disposal of the case.
The case is set for mention on March 16.
