KUALA LUMPUR: A former aide to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has claimed trial at the Sessions Court to two counts of cheating and corruption, linked to the procurement of interactive smartboards for schools in Seputeh.
Edmund Teoh, 40, pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read out before Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin here yesterday.
Teoh was accused of misleading Kok into believing that only two schools in the Seputeh constituency had applied for a contribution of the Interactive Smart Boards, when he knew 16 schools had applied for it.
Teoh’s alleged act purportedly caused Kok to grant him approval to submit an application for the contribution through the MyKhas system under the Projek Mesra Rakyat programme for the Seputeh parliamentary constituency, whereby Kok would have withheld approval had she not been deceived.
The charge under Section 417 of the Penal Code provides imprisonment of up to five years, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Teoh was also accused of corruptly receiving RM500,000 in cash from Ainuddin Aminuddin, who was then the assistant to the Seputeh MP.
This payment was purportedly a reward for Teoh’s assistance in helping Ainuddin secure contributions for the supply of Interactive Smart Boards and related equipment for 16 schools in Seputeh.
The contributions were to be provided by TMT IT Solutions, a company owned by Ainuddin’s wife.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Shell petrol station parking area in Jalan Kuchai Maju, Kuchai Lama, on Aug 12, 2024.
Teoh was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Julaila Jamaluddin proposed bail at RM150,000 in one surety.
The prosecution also requested that the accused surrender his passport and report to the MACC on a monthly basis.
Teoh’s lawyer MN Lo requested a lower bail.
He said Teoh had given his full cooperation in the investigation and was remanded for four days.
“There is no tendency for him to abscond,” she said.
Lo said bail was meant to secure an accused person’s attendance in court and should not be punitive.
She also informed the court that Teoh earned between RM3,000 and RM4,000 a month as a p-hailing driver and could only afford RM30,000 bail with the help of a friend acting as surety.
Judge Suzana set RM60,000 bail in one surety and allowed the additional conditions sought by the prosecution.
The case is fixed for mention on July 3.
