A FORMER chief executive officer of a Malacca government company pleaded not guilty at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court today to a power abuse charge by appointing his daughter the company’s financial officer.

Amir Ali, 56, who was the CEO of Syarikat Melaka Halal Hub Sdn Bhd at the time, is accused of using his position to appoint his daughter, Nur Hafizah, the financial officer W41.

He is alleged to have committed the act at the company’s premises in Anchor Building, Melaka Halal Hub Industrial Area, Serkam in Jasin on April 1, 2021.

The charge was framed under section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and can be punished under section 24 of the same law, which provides for a maximum jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe, or RM10,000, or whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohammad Azriff Firdaus Mohamad Ali suggested bail of RM7,000-15,000 in one surety and additional conditions such as reporting to the state MACC office once a month and surrendering his passport to the court until the disposal of the case.

Lawyer Azrul Zulkifli Stork, representing Amir, appealed for a lower bail on the grounds that his client has 10 dependents and has cooperated with MACC.

Judge Elesabet Paya Wan allowed bail of RM7,000 and set November 2 for mention. – Bernama, September 27, 2023.