KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — An Election Commission (EC) officer and an operations manager of a transport company pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of accepting a RM80,000 bribe from a businessman.

Muhammad Firdaus Mohd Ramli, 34, who is EC division secretary (Data Analysis) in Putrajaya, and Fizal Kamarudin @ Fauzi, 33, of Mega Lavende Sdn Bhd, are jointly charged with accepting the bribe from Mohd Noor Mokhid, the owner of Southair Travel and Tours Services Sdn Bhd, in return for appointing the company as the official transport provider for foreign observers during the 13th general election.

They allegedly committed the offence at Restoran Al-Rawsha in Jalan Kampung Pandan here at 1pm on October 16 last year.

The offence, under section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, read together with section 34 of the Penal Code, provides a maximum imprisonment for 20 years and fine not less than five time the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sophian Zakaria, from MACC, offered bail at RM20,000 in one surety for each of the accused, saying that the case was of public interest.

Mohd Sophian also told the court that Fizal would be charged in the Shah Alam Sessions Court tomorrow with soliciting a bribe.

Lawyer Datuk Salehuddin Saidin, representing both the accused, asked for the bail to be reduced to RM5,000 as his clients co-operated with the MACC during the investigation and gave the assurance that they would attend hearing of the case.

He said Muhammad Firdaus has two children, while Fizal has a child who is suffering from leukaemia and undergoing chemotherapy.

Judge Rozilah Salleh allowed Muhammad Firdaus and Fizal bail of RM10,000 each in one security and set July 10 for mention. — Bernama