KUANTAN: Three Civil Defence Force officers have claimed trial after being charged with soliciting a bribe to help a company secure a project at the Civil Defence Training Academy.

       Mustapa Hashim, 58, Mohd Nazrin Mohd Nasir, 38, and Salina Kamarulzaman, 41, were charged on Friday (March 18) with soliciting RM18,000 or 10% of the value of the project from one Rajman Hashim.

       The bribe was an alleged inducement for the three accused to do whatever was necessary to help Pendang Jaya Sdn Bhd obtain the supply, delivery and installation of office furniture project at the academy in Kajang, Selangor.

       They were accused of committing the offence in Genting Permai Avenue, Bentong between 5pm and 6pm on Oct 7.

       If found guilty, they could be jailed up to 20 years and fined not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever was higher.

       Sessions Court judge Datuk Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain granted bail at RM8,000 for Mustapa and RM5,000 each for Mohd Nazrin and Salina.

       He ordered the accused to surrender their passports and report to the nearest Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office during the first week of every month.

       The judge also set April 11 for mention and allowed the case to be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to be heard with another case there.

       MACC prosecuting officer Mohd Aliff Shaharuzaman appeared for the prosecution while Datuk Syed Azimal Amir Syed Abu Bakar represented Mustapa and Salina.

       Mohd Nazrin was unrepresented.