GEORGE TOWN: Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin, who pleaded not guilty to 15 corruption charges involving RM847,107.61, said he was glad to clear his name through the legal process.
“I want to face the charges and prove my innocence rather than remain uncertain about what was happening. There are technical aspects of the construction project that need to be explained in court,” said the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) chairman, who was released from remand about 50 days ago.
Yesterday, the 53-year-old claimed trial before Sessions Court judge Irwan Suainbon to 15 counts of accepting bribes in connection with a RM23.27mil construction project that involved the use of an industrialised building system.
He was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.
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.
According to the charge sheets, Shaik Hussein received 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 paid in 15 separate transactions by ATSH director Datuk Albert Suresh Raman.
The alleged offences took place at Bank Islam’s Bandar Baru Perda branch in central Seberang Perai.
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 alleged bribes ranged from RM45.51 to RM244,620, with the largest payment allegedly made 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, who is also Penang Umno deputy chairman and an Umno supreme council member, clarified that the charges concerned an open-tender project undertaken by Perda and were unrelated to land matters, contrary to earlier reports.
He said authority over open tenders rested with the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, rather than Perda, which he chairs.
Asked whether the charges could be politically motivated, he said he would leave it to the public to judge.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution sought bail of RM1mil and asked that Shaik Hussein surrender his passport.
The defence appealed for a lower amount and requested that he be allowed to retain his passport.
Shaik Hussein’s bail was set at RM300,000 bail with one surety.
Irwan also ordered Shaik Hussein to report to the MACC office once every two months and refrain from interfering with prosecution witnesses.
Shaik Hussein was further ordered to surrender his passport to the court, although he may apply for its temporary release when necessary.
The court fixed Jan 8, 2027 for the submission of documents.
