JOHOR BARU: A public university engineer has claimed trial at a Sessions Court here to charges of accepting bribes worth RM23,500.
The accused, Muhammad Iqbal Sarman, 40, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail on Thursday (Feb 12).
According to the charge sheets, Muhammad Iqbal, a public servant attached to the university's development and maintenance office, had accepted bribes of between RM1,000 and RM6,000, amounting to RM23,500.
The offences were alleged to be linked to his official duties involving services for the PA system and LCD projectors at the university.
He was accused of committing the offences at a bank along Jalan Cempaka 1, Taman Bunga Cempaka Biru, Batu Pahat, between Nov 26, 2022, and Dec 23, 2023.
The charges were framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of two years, or a fine, or both upon conviction.
The prosecution was conducted by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecuting officer Muhd Faizul Kamaro Zaman, while the accused was represented by lawyer Tan Song Yan.
The court allowed Muhammad Iqbal bail of RM10,000 with one surety and set March 16 for case mention.
