SHAH ALAM, Nov 12 — Two former bank officers pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to charges of accepting bribes and subsequently failing to report such gratifications, purportedly received for recommending a legal firm for the preparation of loan documentation
Nadiah Zakaria, 33, and Abdul Rahman Shahrudin, 35, entered their pleas after the charges were read out to them separately by Judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud.
Nadiah faces 12 charges: six for accepting bribes and six for failing to report the gratification.
The former mortgage sales consultant is alleged to have received bribes, totalling RM11,444, from the bank account of a law firm as gratification for recommending the firm to prepare 11 home financing loan agreements worth RM3.2 million.
All the offences were allegedly committed at a bank branch in Shah Alam on February 1, August 2, and October 4, 2021, and March 22, July 4, and December 2, 2022.
The alternative charges made against the accused are for failing to report the gratification to the MACC or the police.
Abdul Rahman, also a former Mortgage Sales Consultant, faces 14 charges, seven for accepting bribes totalling RM7,366, and seven alternative charges for failing to report receiving the money as gratification, purportedly for recommending the same legal firm to prepare 10 home financing loan agreements worth RM2.61 million.
The money, from the same law firm, was deposited into his wife's bank account.
The alternative charges made against the accused are also for failing to report receiving the gratification to the MACC or the police.
Abdul Rahman was charged with committing the offences at a bank branch in Shah Alam on February 19, March 2, April 19, November 15 and November 28, 2018, and on March 20 and October 25, 2019.
Both accused were charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act and face up to 20 years' imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.
The alternative charges are framed under Section 25(2) of the MACC Act, which provides for a maximum fine of RM100,000, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both upon conviction.
The court granted bail of RM6,000 to Nadiah and RM5,000 to Abdul Rahman. They were also ordered to report to the nearest MACC office, surrender their passports to the court and not interfere with prosecution witnesses.
Nadiah, currently in the late stage of pregnancy, is exempt from having to report to the MACC until she has given birth.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Izzati Sapifiee conducted the prosecution, while lawyer Muhamad Aizat Adli Zalil represented Nadiah. Abdul Rahman is unrepresented.
The court set January 7 next year for the mention of Abdul Rahman's case, and April 27 for the mention of Nadiah’s case.
