KOTA KINABALU: A former director of a public college in Semporna has been charged with 12 counts of power abuse by approving the purchase of flight tickets for his son and wife from 2017 to 2018.

       Saifulkahad Shariff, 54, who is currently a director of Mara Poly-Tech College headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, pleaded not guilty before Tawau Sessions Court judge Awang Krisnada Awang Mahmud.

       He is accused of having abused his position as then director of the Mara Semporna College to approve the procurement application form for the purchase of flight tickets from Tawau to Kuala Lumpur for his wife and son between November 2017 and Aug 7, 2018 at the college’s office for a total of RM6,797.50 from a travel agency.

       His wife and children were not eligible for the facility.

       Saifulkahad was charged under Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which is punishable under Section 24 (1) of the same Act.

       The court allowed bail of RM7,000 in one surety and set April 8 as the mention date for case management.

       The accused was ordered to report to the MACC once a month and to surrender his passport.

       DPP Nurul Izzati Sapifee prosecuted while Saifulkahad was represented by lawyer Sitti Nurul Ain Sahidah Pitting.