KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 — Department of Environment (DOE) deputy director-general Dr Norhazni Mat Sari pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today, to six charges of receiving RM21,000 from a scheduled waste management company, four years ago.

Norhazni, 59, as DOE deputy director-general (development) is charged with receiving the money via an online transfer to her son’s bank account, when she knew the company’s act had to do with her official work.

The offence was allegedly committed at a bank in Bukit Bintang here between April 18, 2022 to July 19, 2024 and the charge was made under Section 165 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail sentence of two years or a fine or both if convicted.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib informed the court that the prosecution and defence had agreed to a bail of RM25,000 with one surety for all charges.

“The prosecution is also requesting that the accused’s passport be surrendered to the court until the case is resolved,” said Ahmad Akram, who was also assisted by deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry.

However, lawyer Haresh Mahadevan, representing Norhazni, requested a postponement of the surrender of the passport on the grounds that his client needs to attend a meeting related to her work in Geneva, Switzerland from June 16 to 26.

Ahmad Akram then suggested that the passport be surrendered first and the accused could submit an application to obtain the document if she needs to travel abroad in the future.

Judge Azura Alwi allowed the accused to be bailed at RM25,000 with one surety for all charges as well as additional conditions that the passport be surrendered to the court, besides setting May 19 for the case to be mentioned again. — Bernama