SHAH ALAM: A 51-year-old businessman claimed trial at the Shah Alam Sessions Court on Friday (Feb 25) for receiving a financial inducement from another businessman to help cover up the death of a foreign worker from Covid-19.

       C. Mahenthiran, who owns and manages a security services company, was accused of having received a total of RM630,000 from the other businessman who owns an ice factory.

       The bribe was for Mahenthiran to help the ice factory owner to escape any action by the police, Health Ministry and the International Trade and Industry Ministry, as well as to cover up the foreign worker’s death.

       Mahenthiran had allegedly committed the offence at the Rawang branch of Affin Bank between September 4 and 10, 2021.

       The funds were also allegedly for finding a burial place for the deceased foreigner.

       The father of two was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009 and could be punished under Section 24(1) of the same Act and faced a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine not less than five times the amount of inducement or RM10,000, whichever was higher.

       Mahenthiran was also slapped with eight alternative charges under Section 417 of the Penal Code and faced five years imprisonment or a fine or both if found guilty.

       The charges were read before judge Rihaida Rafie.

       Deputy Public Prosecutor Fadhli Ab. Wahab offered a bail amount of RM100,000 with one surety with the accused surrendering his passport to the court, as well as reporting himself at the nearest MACC office during the first week of every month.

       Defence counsel Bernard Francis sought a lower bail amount and said Mahenthiran’s wife was receiving psychiatric treatment at a cost of RM2, 000 monthly.

       Rihaida set bail at RM40, 000 and fixed March 25 for the case to be mentioned.