Penang fire chief charged with graft

[Han Solo]

Published: Tuesday December 28, 2010 MYT 11:38:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday December 28, 2010 MYT 1:36:40 PM

Penang fire chief charged with graft

SUNGAI PETANI: Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Ahmad Izram Osman has been charged with taking bribes of RM16,325.

Ahmad Izram, 44, was alleged to have received RM3,000 and RM13,325 on Feb 17 in 2009 from a contractor in return for getting him projects for repairs and maintenance of the department's office in Penang costing over RM300,000.

The money was received in the form of a down payment for a Toyota Vios at a car dealer's shop in Kulim, Kedah.

The offences carries a maximum 20-year jail term and fine of five times the value of the bribe.

Dressed in a light brown shirt and the department's green uniform pants, Ahmad Izram looked calmed in the court.

Earlier, his friend had used a black leather jacket to cover his face from photographers.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Janariah Abdul Mutalib propsed bail of RM10,000 each for the two charges and RM5,000 for the alternative charge.

Ahmad Izram's counsel Saw Hoe Teik pleaded for smaller bail on all three counts saying his client, as a senior government servant and department director, would be present in court when required to.

Judge Rusita Md Lazim fixed bail at a total of RM15,000 and Jan 26 next year for mention.

 

[Han Solo]

Top guns held for graft


Tuesday December 28, 2010

Top guns held for graft

By WINNIE YEOH
[email protected]

GEORGE TOWN: A Federal department director and a state government agency manager have been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged corruption.

Both were arrested in different locations by Penang MACC officers yesterday.

The 44-year-old director, who has been serving in Penang since 2008, was detained at the MACC office here after being summoned by the commission.

The suspect is expected to be charged with asking and receiving RM16,325 between 2008 and 2009.

Penang MACC director Datuk Latifah Md Yatim told a press conference that the suspect had allegedly asked for the sum as a form of deposit from a contractor, who was entrusted to carry out repair and maintenance work.

The alleged offence took place in Kulim, Kedah, she said. The man is expected to be charged in Sungai Petani today.

If convicted, he can be fined five times the value of the bribe and jailed a maximum of 20 years.

Meanwhile, the senior manager in a state development agency was detained at about 1pm in relation to the supply of office equipment worth RM5,700 which was never delivered to the agency.

The 53-year-old man was responsible for management of the agency’s financial division and had allegedly paid a company for a communication module that was supposed to be installed in a card-punch system.

Latifah said the senior manager would be charged in the Sessions Court today.

He faces a fine five times the value of the bribe and up to 20 years in jail.

It is learnt that the suspect works with the Penang Development Corporation.