Court orders JAIS officer to enter defence

SHAH ALAM: The sessions court here ordered a Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) officer to enter his defence on nine charges of abusing his power in awarding projects to companies belonging to his siblings.
Judge Rozilah Salleh, in her ruling said the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against Hairul Nizan Mhd Idris, 37.
The court set June 6 and 7 for Hairul Nizan to enter his defence.
Lawyer Hamidi Mohd Noh, who represented the accused, said that his client would testify under oath from the witness stand.
Hairul Nizan was charged, as a Grade 41 missionary officer, to have abused his position to obtain a RM32,856 bribe by recommending the tender for the supply of goods for nine projects to Prisma Jaya Kini Resources and Prima Maju Trading, which belonged to his two siblings.
Hairul Nizan was alleged to have committed the offences at the Hulu Langat JAIS office between Feb 1 and Oct 25, 2016.
The charge, under Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, punishable under Section 24 of the same act, provides an imprisonment of up to 20 years and fine of five times the amount of gratuity involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohammed Heikal Ismail appeared for the prosecution. — Bernama