KOTA BHARU, Sept 21 — A former TH Properties deputy general manager of construction projects pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to abetting a criminal breach of trust involving RM14,000 in penalty funds collected from a contractor for a commercial building project owned by Tabung Haji (TH).
Tengku Kamarolhisham Tengku Kamaruddin, 55, is charged with abetting Mohamad Hashim Mukhatap, then a construction manager at THP Timur Sdn Bhd and an agent entrusted with the funds.
The money was allegedly linked to penalties collected from contractor Kelpile Sdn Bhd for a proposed Tabung Haji-owned commercial development on Lot 273, Section 12, Bandar Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
The project involved a 22-storey commercial building comprising 244 serviced apartment units, four penthouses, public amenities, commercial space, parking facilities, a single-level sub-basement, and related facilities.
The charge was framed under Section 109, read together with Section 409 of the Penal Code, which provides a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
On Tuesday (September 15), Hashim, 53, was charged with criminal breach of trust for allegedly misappropriating RM14,000 by depositing the funds into his personal bank account.
The offence was allegedly committed between November 15, 2017, and August 8, 2018, at Sofea Residensi, Lot 10015, Section 12, in the Kota Bharu district.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Deputy Public Prosecutor Asmah Che Wan had proposed bail of RM15,000, while lawyer Fahmi Abd Moin Khairuddin, representing Tengku Kamarolhisham, requested RM5,000.
Fahmi said his client earned RM5,000 a month and had six children, some of whom had recently started working while others were studying at public institutions of higher learning or secondary school.
He also told the court that the accused suffered from several health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Tengku Kamarolhisham had also been charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court with abetting CBT involving a separate project.
Judge Dazuki Ali then set bail at RM8,000 with one surety and ordered the accused to surrender his passport to the court, refrain from interfering with witnesses, and report to the Shah Alam MACC office monthly.
The court set October 19 for mention.
