Ex-Tekun Nasional CEO charged with bribery
SHAH ALAM: Former managing director and chief executive officer of Tekun Nasional Datuk Abdul Rahim Hassan claimed trial to two counts of corruption at the sessions court today.
In the first charge, he is alleged to have solicited RM36,000 as an inducement to help speed up the collection process by Pasadana Sdn Bhd, a debt collection company, amounting to RM360,009.08 via SMS between 8.30pm to 9pm on Jan 13, 2015.
He was also charged with allegedly accepting the RM36,000 bribe which represents 10% of the collection of "Hutang Lapuk Tekun Nasional" for November 2014 from Abdul Muhsin Abdul Rahman as an inducement to help speed up the collection process by Pasadana Sdn Bhd amounting to RM360,009.08 at around 9.30pm at the lobby of Kelab Shah Alam, here on Feb 15, 2015.
For both the charges under Section 16 (a) (A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, he could face a 20-year jail term and fine if convicted.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Aida Adhha Abu Bakar proposed bail at RM20,000 in one surety for each charge.
In asking for a lower bail, Abdul Rahim's counsel Hasnal Rezua Merican said his client was a retiree currently providing consultancy services with the government with no assets overseas.
Hasnal added that the charges involved the same transaction and allegedly took place two days apart.
Sessions Court judge Asmadi Hussain set bail at RM18,000 in one surety for both charges and ordered Abdul Rahim's passport to be surrendered to the court.
The court then fixed March 13 to March 17 for trial.
The 62-year-old was arrested by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers at his home in Bukit Bandaraya at 5.15pm on Sunday.
The graft-busting agency has been cracking down on corrupt officials in the past week. Four days before Abdul Rahim's arrests, a ministry secretary-general and his two sons were remanded over allegations of corruption, abuse of power and money laundering.
Last Tuesday, MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Azam Baki said government officials who live beyond their means, frequently go on golfing trips overseas, keep mistresses or have girlfriends may find themselves under the scrutiny of the agency.
Earlier, MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad advised senior civil servants to stop their golfing trips abroad as it can be opportunities for corruption.