By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Jan 17: A construction company director with the title ‘Datuk’ has pleaded not guilty to abetting a Public Works Department (JKR) engineer accused of accepting a car payment from him.
The engineer pleaded not guilty to charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code. He is accused of accepting RM6,412.22 from the company director as payment for a car which allegedly occurred on July 3, 2023.
The construction company director also pleaded not guilty to abetting the engineer under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 165.
The new charges come on the heels of an extensive MACC investigation into allegations of bribery, which revealed suspicious financial transactions.
The investigation began last December, with both accused initially detained on Dec 7 over a major corruption case involving 38 construction projects worth RM250 million in Sarawak.
While the engineer’s remand was extended, the company director was released after four days.
Investigators have since uncovered irregularities in the tendering of construction projects between 2022 and 2024, as well as suspicious payments to four other companies tied to the suspects.
If convicted of the current charges, both face penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, as stipulated under the Penal Code.
The case has been adjourned to April 14 for further proceedings, with Judge Steve Ritikos presiding.
The engineer was represented by Counsel Daniel Ling, the company director was represented by Counsel Roger Chin while Deputy Public Prosecutor Yong Ann Nee prosecuted.
Both accused were released on RM7,000 bail with one local surety. — DayakDaily
