JOHOR BARU: A technician from a public university claimed trial at the Sessions Court here on Wednesday (Feb 12) to charges of misappropriating more than RM165,000.
The accused, Mohd Rizal Sangaiman, 45, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Judge Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail on Thursday (Feb 12).
For the first charge, the man was alleged to have dishonestly misappropriated the university's funds amounting to RM67,429 for his own use.
He was accused of committing the offence at a bank along Jalan Kundang, Taman Bukit Pasir, Batu Pahat between Jan 28, 2021 and Nov 27, 2021.
For the second charge, Mohd Rizal is accused of committing the same offence involving RM97,665.50 at the same location between Jan 1, 2022 and June 11, 2022.
The charges were framed under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of five years, whipping, and fines upon conviction.
The prosecution was conducted by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecuting officer Ameera D’Aneez Mohd Shukari, while the accused was represented by lawyer Mohd Fazaly Ali Mohd Ghazaly.
The prosecution offered bail of between RM20,000 and RM30,000 with one surety against the accused.
However, Mohd Fazaly pleaded for his client to be allowed bail at the minimum amount, noting that the accused had given cooperation throughout the investigation and was also facing the possibility of work suspension.
The court allowed the man bail of RM12,000 with one Malaysian surety and set March 31 for case mention.
