KOTA KINABALU: A civil servant claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to allegedly accepting RM1,500 as a bribe over performance bond repayments for two projects in Sook, Keningau.

Duati Gunggut, 55, who appeared before judge Abu Bakar Manat was charged under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.

It provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine five times the bribe amount, upon conviction.

The charge stated that Duati as an administrative assistant (Grade N19) at the Sook sub-district office had accepted RM1,500 from Hendry Jassin to expedite an application for the repayment of performance bonds involving two projects in Sook – repairing and upgrading Jalan Kebun Sakikilo and maintenance for Surau Kampung Bukit Merah carried out by Syarikat RH Construction.

The said money was deposited into Duati's bank account on Sept 20, 2018, at 12.59pm at a Maybank branch in Keningau.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) prosecuting officer Rekhraj Singh offered bail of RM7,000 with a local surety and that Duati submit his international passport, if any, to the court for safekeeping and report to the MACC office every month.

However, Duati, who is now a senior administrative assistant (N22) at the Sook sub-district office, applied for the bail sum to be reduced on the grounds that this was his first offence and he has a family, including five children, to look after.

The court set Sept 27, for pre-trial case management, and allowed bail at RM7,000 with a RM3,000 deposit and a local surety.

The court also imposed additional conditions as requested by the prosecution and Duati has to report to the MACC office in Keningau once every two months.

The court also warned the unrepresented accused not to disturb any of the prosecution's witnesses.

Source : NST