'Datuk seri' charged with accepting RM176k bribe

 

A businessperson with the title "datuk seri" pleaded not guilty in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today to two charges of accepting RM176,000 in bribe to help release 22 Chinese nationals last year.

According to the first and second charges, Mohammed Al Faizal Mohammed, 44, is accused of having accepted RM176,000 from another businessperson, Lim Seng Chye, 41, as an inducement to help release 22 Chinese nationals who were detained by the police and Immigration Department.

The offence was allegedly committed at a hotel in Jalan Bukit Bintang at 11pm on Sept 22, 2020.

The charge, under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009, carries a maximum 20-year jail sentence and a fine of up to five times the quantum of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Al Faizal also pleaded not guilty to two optional charges of cheating Lim for the same purpose to the point of inducing the victim to hand over the same amount of cash (RM176,000), which he would not have done if he had not been deceived.

Both offences were allegedly committed at the same place, time and date.

The charge, under Section 417 of the Penal Code, is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years or fine or both.

At the same court, a woman who is also Al Faizal’s friend, Mariam Beevi M Sultan Alaudin also pleaded not guilty to two charges of accepting RM33,000 bribe from Lim for the same purpose.

The offence was allegedly committed at a bank in Jalan Tun Perak at 8.17pm and 8.18pm on Nov 6, 2020.

Mariam also pleaded not guilty to two optional charges of cheating the same victim for the same purpose to the point of inducing the victim to hand over the same amount of cash (RM33,000), which he would not have done if he had not been deceived.

Judge Suzana Hussin imposed bail of RM50,000 on Al Faizal and RM17,000 on Mariam, and ordered their passports to be surrendered to the court and to report to the nearest MACC office every month.

The judge fixed April 21 for mention.

The prosecution was conducted by DPP Fadhli Ab Wahab. Al Faizal was represented by counsel Manjet Singh while Mariam was represented by Parvinder Singh Doal.

- Bernama