KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 — Datuk Mohd Arif Ab Rahman today claimed trial to the charge of aiding his son in receiving S$200,000 (RM627,808) in bribes.

The former secretary-general of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry pleaded not guilty after he was charged at the Sessions Court here today, according to The Star Online news portal.

His son, Ahmad Zukhairi, also claimed trial to the charge of accepting the sum in bribes, allegedly to help secure the contract for a power supply project in Sarawak.

Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi allowed bail to both men at RM200,000 each.

Mohd Arif and his son were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Kedah yesterday morning.

They had previously been arrested and investigated by the MACC over alleged abuses dating back to 2010.