SHAH ALAM – A department head of a local government authority pleaded not guilty in the sessions court here today to using his post to obtain gratification for his sister.
Datuk Nizam Sahari, 54, who heads the Kajang Municipal Council’s (MPKj) Development Planning Department, made the plea before judge Rozilah Salleh.
He was charged with using the post to obtain gratification for Zaiton Sahari, 50, by allegedly approving an application by Messrs Permata Cerah Sdn Bhd, belonging to the woman, to plan the construction of a two- to three-storey business building block, containing four units of office lots in Kajang.
He is alleged to have tabled the application for permission to plan the construction of the building at council meeting No.5/2016 and issued Form C (1), which is the Planning Permission, to the company.
The offence was allegedly committed at Cempaka Putih Meeting Room 1, 7th Floor, MPKj on March 14, 2016.
The charge, framed under Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, provides for imprisonment up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification, or RM10,000, whichever higher, if found guilty.
Rozilah allowed him bail of RM20,000 with one surety, and ordered him to surrender his passport to the court and report at his nearest MACC office every month.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Fadhli Ab Wahab prosecuted, while Nizam was represented by lawyer Wan Muhd Ariff Ameer Wan Normazlan.
The court has set February 25 for mention. – Bernama, January 27, 2021
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