KOTA KINABALU – A former deputy director of Sabah Contractor Service Centre has claimed trial to 44 bribery charges and two charges of submitting false claims, totalling RM51,300.
The charges were read out to Mahriyatty Ag. Bahrin, 42, at the special corruption court here today as she was accused of receiving a total of RM51,300 from eight companies that were wired to her personal bank account between July 2019 and January 2021.
Judge Abu Bakar Manat released her on RM25,000 bail with RM10,000 deposit and a local surety.
Mahriyatty was ordered to surrender her passport and report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office here twice a month.
According to Sabah MACC, the accused had allegedly received 42 transactions, ranging from RM300 to RM3,000, mainly to apply for and speed up the application for Bumiputera certificates under Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).
The companies allegedly involved were SD Construction, Syarikat Nazneen Enterprise, Syarikat DL Construction, M Nur Company, Galeri Metro and B-Tech Enterprise, Raziz Shah Samsuddin, Gemilang Elektro Enterprise, Megah Unggul Enterprise and B.K Agro.
Her charges fall under Section 16 (a)(A), Section 16 (a)(B), and Section 17 (a) of the MACC Act 2019, for corruptly obtaining gratification as an inducement or a reward for actions in relation to his principal’s affairs or business, as well as Section 165 of the Penal Code for obtaining valuables as a public servant.
Section 17 (a) of the MACC Act 2019 carries a punishment of maximum two years of imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
While Section 165 of the Penal Code carries maximum two years of imprisonment, or with fine, or with both if found guilty.
Mahriyatty is also accused of submitting false claims, with a total value of RM3,720 between November 4, and 21, 2019, for food services by a Syarikat Tanjong Jaya that did not take place.
For this, she was charged under Section 18 and Section 23 (1) of the MACC Act 2019, for deceiving her principal with a receipt that is false, and for obtaining gratification with her office or position.
The offences carry a punishment of maximum 20 years of imprisonment, and a fine of not less than five times the sum of gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
The accused was represented by Zahir Hussien Ahmad Shah. The case will be mentioned on July 21. – The Vibes, June 20, 2022
