KUALA LUMPUR: A retired Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) major-general was charged in the Sessions Court here with accepting RM300,000 in bribes for the construction of a house between 2021 and 2022.
Datuk Zainal Abdul Manaf, 61, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him before judge Suzana Hussin today.
According to the charge sheet, Zainal, in his capacity as a public servant serving as the assistant chief of staff for materials at the RMAF, is accused of receiving payments totaling RM200,000 and RM100,000 for the construction of a house from an individual who had a connection with his official duties between Dec 22, 2021 and March 15, 2022.
The offence falls under Section 165 of the Penal Code and carries a maximum two years' imprisonment or a fine or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Aznika Mohd Anas asked the court to impose RM100,000 bail with one surety against the accused.
She also asked the court to impose additional conditions, for the accused to report himself at the MACC headquarters and surrender his passport until the disposal of the case.
Defence lawyer Simret Singh pleaded for minimum bail by stating that his client has given full cooperation to the authorities during the investigation.
"My client is now retired and both he and his wife suffer from high blood pressure, requiring ongoing treatment at the hospital," he said.
The court set RM35,000 bail with one surety but allowed the prosecution's request for additional conditions.
The court also fixed Sept 26 for mention.