GEORGE TOWN: Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) chairman Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to 15 counts of accepting bribes totalling RM847,107.61 in connection with a RM23.27mil construction project.
Shaik Hussein, 53, pleaded not guilty to all 15 charges before Sessions judge Irwan Suainbon on Thursday (Oct 15).
He is also Penang Umno deputy chairman and an Umno supreme council member.
He is accused of receiving the money through Aliran Ilham Sdn Bhd (AISB) as an inducement to appoint ATSH Management Sdn Bhd (ATSH) as a subcontractor for the project.
The money was allegedly received from ATSH director Datuk Albert Suresh Raman in 15 separate transactions.
The alleged offences took place at Bank Islam's Bandar Baru Perda branch in Seberang Perai Tengah.
The project involved completing abandoned construction works on a 10-storey hostel block and related facilities at Institut Kemahiran Tinggi Perda (Perda-Tech) in Bukit Panchor, South Seberang Perai.
The project, valued at RM23,268,215.35, involved the use of an industrialised building system (IBS).
The alleged bribes ranged from RM45.51 to RM244,620, with the largest amount allegedly received on March 10 this year.
Other substantial payments included RM152,530 on July 9, RM97,980 on May 12 and RM71,910 on April 2.
Shaik Hussein was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1).
Each charge carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of at least five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
The prosecution sought bail of RM1mil and requested that Shaik Hussein surrender his passport to the court.
However, the defence appealed for a lower bail amount and asked that he be allowed to retain his passport.
After considering submissions and case authorities cited by both parties, judge Irwan fixed bail at RM300,000 with one surety.
He also ordered Shaik Hussein to report to the MACC office once every two months.
The accused was ordered to surrender his passport to the court but may apply for its temporary release when necessary.
The court also fixed Jan 8 for the submission of documents.
