Ex-deputy Senate president claims trial to RM235K graft over reclamation project
PETALING JAYA : Former Dewan Negara deputy speaker Ali Mohamad pleaded not guilty today to 20 charges of corruption involving RM235,000 and three luxury cars, allegedly linked to a land reclamation project in Melaka.
Ali, 61, entered the plea at the Shah Alam sessions court after the charges were read to him before judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud, Utusan Malaysia reported.
The Bersatu deputy information chief was accused of accepting bribes between April 18, 2024, and Jan 20 this year while serving as managing director of Puncak Jasasia Sdn Bhd.
The alleged bribes, ranging from RM5,000 to RM20,000 per transaction, were purportedly received 15 times as an inducement for appointing Benalec Sdn Bhd as the contractor for a 40-hectare reclamation project in Kota Laksamana.
Ali was also accused of receiving a BMW 730Li, a Range Rover, and a Bentley Flying Spur between January 2017 and May 2024 at premises in Glenmarie and Sungai Buloh.
The charges were framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib proposed bail of RM60,000 and requested that Ali surrender his passport.
Ali's counsel, Md Yunos Shariff, agreed to the terms and appealed for judicial discretion in granting bail.
Judge Awang then set bail at RM60,000 and ordered Ali not to interfere with prosecution witnesses. The case is scheduled for mention on July 24.
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