TNB manager charged with corruption

> 13 counts of graft totalling RM125,200

KOTA BARU: Tenaga Nasional Berhad manager Arman Che Othman was charged in the sessions court here yesterday with 13 counts of corruption and money laundering totalling RM125,200.

Arman, 47, pleaded not guilty to all the charges after they were read before judge Nazri Ismail.

Eleven of the charges were made under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, and the remaining two under Section 4 (1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

On the 11 charges under the MACC Act, Arman was charged, allegedly with accepting gratification, totalling RM61,000, from a contractor to approve the progress report for projects.

The offences were committed at the Public Bank branch in Kota Baru and Tanah Merah between September 2013 and July 2014.

The charge provides an imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, on conviction.

On the two other charges, the first count was for allegedly using RM9,000 from an account belonging to KS Maju Solution, which were proceeds obtained from unlawful activities, at the Wakaf Siku Public Bank branch between Sept 18 and Dec 21, 2013.

On the second count, Arman was charged with engaging in money laundering, involving RM55,200 from an account belonging to KS Maju Solution, at the same place between Jan 1 and Oct 18, 2014.

He faces imprisonment of up to five years, or a fine of up to RM5 million, or both, if found guilty.

Nazri allowed Arman bail of RM40,000 in one surety for all the charges and ordered him to surrender his passport to the court. The court set Nov 15 for mention. – Bernama