Engineer denies false claim charge

KUANTAN: An assistant engineer at the Rompin District and Land Office yesterday pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court, here, to a charge of making false payment claim of RM65,340 for the construction of a surau, last year.

Mohd Azly Kamarudin, 31, from Kampung Feri Pontian, Kuala Rompin, near here, claimed trial to the charge read to him before judge Datuk Habibah Mohamed Yusof.

He had allegedly committed the offence on Dec 20, 2016 at the Rompin District and Land Office by signing a work indent form PLB/R/ PJ5/43/2016 as acknowledgement that the construction works for a surau and related works at the Pontian Jaya housing scheme, Kuala Rompin had been fully and satisfactorily completed by the supplier when it was not the case.

The accused was charged under Section 18 of the Malaysian AntiCorruption Act and faces a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of five times the amount involved or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamri offered bail of RM20,000 in one surety,reasoning that it was a serious offence.

However, the accused pleaded that the bail be reduced, saying that his nett salary was RM2,000 and he had to support his aged parents and a brother studying at a polytechnic, while he also two bank loans and an education loan to pay.

Judge Habibah set bail at RM4,000 in one surety and Sept 19 for case mention for the accused to engage a lawyer to represent him. - Bernama