KUALA LUMPUR – The former chief executive officer (CEO) of Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and Internet of Things Institute (MARii) pleaded not guilty to bribery charges amounting to RM5 million at the Shah Alam High Court today.
Datuk Mohamad Madani Sahari has been accused of receiving the sum as a bribe two years ago from one Khow Chuen Wah, allegedly to assist a company called Syarikat Aspire Knowledge Sdn Bhd to obtain a letter of award for a RM12 million project.
He was alleged to have committed the offence at a bank in Section 15, Shah Alam, on July 8, 2021.
The former CEO was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act and can be sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and fine no less than five times the alleged sum if found guilty.
According to a Free Malaysia Today report, deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How said more charges will be filed against Madani at the Kuala Lumpur and Alor Star sessions court.
Madani was granted a RM300,000 bail with one surety and ordered to surrender his passport to the court pending the disposal of his court case.
He was represented by lawyers Rahmat Hazlan, Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohamed and Rahmat Abu Bakar.
Judge Rozilah Salleh has set June 8 for case remention.
Madani served as MARii CEO from April 2010 and Azrul Reza Aziz took over the role effective April 10.
MARii is an agency under the International Trade and Industry Ministry. – The Vibes, April 14, 2023
