Former clerk claims trial to graft charge over unlicensed business
JOHOR BARU: A former clark pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court to offering a RM2,000 bribe to a city council officer three years ago.
Sia Joo Hoe, 58, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read before Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail.
She is accused of giving the money to Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) enforcement assistant Abu Hassan Othman, 37, as an inducement for him not to take action against her for operating an unlicensed furniture business.
The alleged offence took place at the MBIP enforcement department in Jalan Medini Sentral 9, Iskandar Puteri, at about 9am on Aug 30, 2022.
At the time, Sia was employed as a clerk at a furniture shop.
The charge was framed under Section 214 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to one-quarter of the maximum term prescribed for the principal offence, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecuting officer Rais Adha Ramli proposed bail of RM10,000.
However, defence counsel Chuah Shyue Chien objected, stating that his client had cooperated fully with MACC since the investigation began in 2022.
"My client lives with her husband in Johor Baru, cares for her nine-month-old grandchild, and currently relies on financial support from her children. She is prepared to post bail of RM5,000," he said.
The court allowed bail at RM5,000 with one surety and fixed June 18 for mention and document submission.
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