KUANTAN: A retiree was charged at the Sessions Court here today for cheating a man of RM19,754 as payment to secure a project last year.
Mohammed Alwi, 61, claimed trial after the charge was read to him by the court interpreter in front of judge Mohd Ghazali Mohamad Taib.
The former Public Works Department administrative assistant was charged with deceiving one Zaharin Othman into paying 10 per cent of the value of a project as an upah (reward) to Ab Rahman M. Nor to secure a contract with the Lipis PWD.
Mohammed's actions prompted Zaharin to hand over RM10,000 cash and a cheque amounting to RM9,754 to the accused.
The father of four had allegedly committed the offence at Taman Setia Jaya, Kuala Lipis about 12pm on May 30 last year.
The charge under Section 420 of the Penal Code provides imprisonment for up to 10 years and whipping, and a fine if found guilty.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)'s deputy public prosecutor Siti Sarah Zainal Abiddin appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by counsel Mohd Falihin Kamil.
Siti Sarah proposed bail of RM10,000 in one surety along with additional conditions for the accused to surrender his passport to the court.
However, Falihin suggested a lower amount, saying his client who retired in 2016 is the sole bread winner of the family with an income of RM1,800 monthly from his pension.
"My client has to support his wife and four children. His wife is diagnosed with thalassaemia and has to regularly seek treatment. My client's son will act as the bailor and will ensure his father attends court," he said.
Ghazali then set bail at RM3,000 in one surety and fixed April 7 for mention. He also instructed the accused to report to the district police station every month.