A JOURNALIST from news portal - Malaysiakini today pleaded not guilty in the Shah Alam Sessions Court to a charge of accepting a RM20,000 bribe.
B. Nantha Kumar, 42, is accused of receiving the bribe from Muhammad Zahid, a Pakistani national, in exchange for removing an article from the portal and refraining from publishing further articles about a foreign worker agency allegedly linked to a criminal syndicate.
The alleged offence took place at a hotel at 11:45 p.m. on February 28. He maintained that he was working with a state immigration director to expose a migrant worker syndicate.
The charge against Nantha was framed under Section 16 (a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of at least five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.
MACC Deputy Public Prosecutor Alis Izzati Azurin Mohd Rusdi proposed a bail of RM20,000 with additional conditions, including the surrender of Nantha Kumar's passport to the court and a requirement to report to the nearest MACC office monthly.
She also requested that the court issue a reminder not to interfere with witnesses or publish any content that could influence or prejudice the case.
In his defense, lawyer P. Purshotaman, representing Nantha Kumar, requested a lower bail of RM5,000, citing his client’s responsibility to support two children, aged 18 and 11.
He argued that Nantha Kumar’s role in exposing the alleged syndicate, which threatened national security, and his willingness to take risks in assisting the government should be considered.
“My client is an award-winning journalist. Our justice system operates on the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty,” Purshotaman stated.
“An excessive bail amount and conditions would force him to remain in prison until the case is concluded. He has great respect for the court and voluntarily appeared after being informed by the investigating officer two days ago.”
Judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin allowed bail at RM10,000 with one surety and ordered Nantha Kumar to submit his passport to the court and report monthly to the nearest MACC office.
The court scheduled the next hearing for April 23.
Pending the independent panel’s findings, Malaysiakini had suspended Nantha with full benefits. - March 14, 2025
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