KUANTAN: A senior lecturer at a public university has been slapped with three charges at the Sessions Court here for submitting false claims amounting to RM22,866 some four years ago.
Abd Aziz Mohd Azoddein, 57, claimed trial to all the charges when it was read to him before judge Mohd Sabri Ismail by the court interpreter.
Aziz, who is attached to the university's Industrial Science and Technology Faculty, was alleged to have submitted a document containing false details in the name of Gomogi Consulting to purchase items for research purposes amounting to RM12,340, but the supplies were never delivered.
In the second charge, the father-of-six was alleged to have submitted a document under the name of Gomogi Consulting amounting to RM1,200 as payment for a three-day stay at a hotel for a training programme, but the payment for the accommodation had never existed.
For the third charge, he allegedly submitted a document containing false information under the name of Greentel Solution Enterprise for the delivery of goods worth RM9,326.20. The goods were for a training programme, but none of the items were delivered.
The accused was alleged to have committed the offences at the university's financial department between Dec 15, 2020 and Dec 15, 2021.
He faces a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of five times the value of the offence committed, or RM10,000, whichever is higher upon conviction.
MACC prosecuting officer Muhammad Asraf Mohamad Tahir and Rifah Izzati Abdul Mutalif appeared for prosecution while Aziz was represented by Muhammad Amirull Afiqq Mohamad Lokman.
Asraf proposed bail at RM50,000 in one surety with the condition that the accused reports to the nearest MACC office every month and surrenders his passport to the court until the case is over.
In mitigation, Amirull Afiqq pleaded for a minimum bail amount, saying his client is still working and has to support his wife and two children who are still studying. He also has a paralysed brother and relative who is a single mother.
Amirull Afiqq told the court that his client was only informed about the charges several days ago and could only afford to raise RM15,000 for the bail.
Sabri allowed RM15,000 bail in one surety and fixed Aug 27 for mention. Aziz was told to surrender his passport to the court and report to the nearest MACC office.