KUALA LUMPUR: A chief executive officer of a communication content service company was charged with 26 counts of bribing a staff member of a telecommunications company with RM85,000 some eight years ago.

       The accused, Lim Eng Hoong, represented by lawyer Emily Shir Lay, pleaded not guilty to all the charges which were read out before Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob.

       On all the charges, Lim, 46, was charged with giving bribes through a bank account belonging to a woman, the employee of the telecommunications company, as a reward for providing him information on complaints by customers.

       The offence was allegedly committed at HSBC Amanah Wangsa Maju branch here between Dec 3, 2014, and Sept 1, 2016.

       The offence carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.

       Rozina allowed bail of RM30,000 with one surety for all charges and ordered the accused to report himself at the nearest MACC office and to not intimidate witnesses in the case.

       The court also set Feb 23 for mention. — Bernama