Military academy director, ex-commandant claim trial to RM920,000 CBT

KUALA LUMPUR – A senior army officer and a former commandant at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia’s (UPNM) Military Training Academy were today charged at the sessions court here with two counts of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of property in connection with a non-existent investment scheme amounting to RM920,000.

Lt Col Azman Mohamed Yasin, who is director of the academy, and Brig Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamad Adkaa Solahuddin pleaded not guilty to both charges, read out to them separately before judge Mahyon Talib.

Azman and Adka, charged in their capacity as director and commandant, respectively, at the academy, allegedly committed CBT by approving payments of RM500,000 and RM420,000 belonging to the Academy Welfare Fund for investment through an unregistered and invalid financial institution.

The offences were allegedly committed at the UPNM academy at Kem Perdana Sg Besi here between August 3 and September 23, 2016.

The charges, framed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping, and liable to a fine, upon conviction.

The duo also face an alternative charge under Section 403 of the Penal Code, for dishonest misappropriation of the money at the same place and time.

They face imprisonment of up to five years and whipping, and liable to a fine, if found guilty.

The court granted both men bail at RM80,000 with one surety each, and ordered them to report themselves to the nearest Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office on the first day of every month pending disposal of the case.

They were also ordered to surrender their passports to the court.

Adka was allowed to pay the balance of the bail by December 7 after his lawyer, Nur Asyikin Zakaria, told the court that her client can only raise RM15,000 for bail today.

Azman, represented by lawyer Mohd Amir Aizat Abdul Rani, requested for a lower bail amount, saying he has no other source of income except for his salary as academy director.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Shafini Mustafha prosecuted.

The court set December 22 for mention. – Bernama, November 23, 2020