MELAKA: Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Abu Samah Abd Wahab has pleaded not guilty to two counts of abuse of power.
Abu Samah, 81, entered the plea when he was charged in the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court here on Friday (June 3).
On the first charge, he is accused of using his position as MNCF president as an inducement to solicit bribes when selecting a company, Syarikat Harapan Baiduri Sdn Bhd which he owns with his children, to provide rented logistics vehicles at a cost of RM12,750 paid for via 13 payment vouchers from 2013 to 2018.
On the second charge, the accused allegedly committed a similar offence involving a company also co-owned with his children, Syarikat Keluarga Haji Wahab Hassan Sdn Bhd, to provide homestay facilities for athletes at a rental cost of RM36,061.85 through 32 payment vouchers from 2013 to 2019.
The charges were framed under Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24 of the same Act.
The law provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount or value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat proposed bail of RM15,000 for both charges with one surety with the additional condition that the accused surrender his passport to the court.
Abu Samah, who was not represented, appealed for bail to be reduced to RM5,000 on the grounds of his age and the fact that he had cooperated fully with the MACC throughout its investigation.
He also asked to be allowed to retain his passport as he would have to attend meetings overseas in his capacity as MNCF president.
Judge Nariman Badruddin then set bail at RM10,000 with one surety and ordered the passport to be handed over to the court, saying the accused could make a formal application when he needed to use it.
Nariman then set July 14 for mention of the case and for Abu Samah to appoint a lawyer. – Bernama