KUALA LUMPUR: A company director and his store assistant claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today to offering and giving a RM25,000 bribe to a Customs officer.
RVJ Maju Trading director A. Vijayakumar, 47, and his brother A. Ragubathi, were charged before judge Azura Alwi, for offering and giving RM25,000 as an inducement to not take action against them under Section 135 of Customs Act for distributing contraband liquors despite warnings.
They were accused of committing the offence at RVJ Maju & Trading, B-0-11 Plaza Metro Prima at Kepong here on June 28 last year.
They pleaded not guilty to the offence charged under Section 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) Act read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a minimum fine of RM10,000 or five times the amount of proceeds from unlawful activities, whichever is higher upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Irna Julieza Maaras prosecuted the case while R. Mahendran Naidu appeared for both the accused.
Azura allowed bail at RM20,000 and one surety for each of the accused.
"Their passports must be surrendered to the court and they must report to Selangor MACC headquarters in the first week of every month," she said.
Court has fixed May 23 for mention.