KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — The former chief executive officer of UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd (UHSB) pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of criminal breach of trust involving RM37.37 million in 2017.

Azlizan Fadzil, 52, who arrived at the court in a wheelchair, entered the plea after the charge was read out before Judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin.

According to the charge, the accused who was the UHSB CEO at the time and entrusted with control over funds amounting to RM37,374,612.68 allocated for the investment and development of a 50MW large-scale solar photovoltaic power plant in Gambang, Pahang is alleged to have misappropriated the funds by making payments for purposes other than the intended project.

He is accused of committing the offence at Affin Bank Berhad, UiTM Shah Alam Branch, Level 2, Menara Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, in the Petaling district of Selangor, between February 2, 2017, and October 2, 2017.

The charge was brought under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, whipping, and a possible fine upon conviction.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How appearing with Atirah Mohd Azuarizanuddin proposed bail of RM100,000, with the additional condition that the accused report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office once every three months.

“Given that the value of the offence exceeds RM30 million and this is a high-profile case while also considering UiTM’s reputation, the nature of the solar project, and allegations of public fund leakage this condition is not deemed excessive,” he said.

However, defence counsel Hasshahari Johari Mawi requested that the bail amount be reduced to RM20,000, citing his client’s health issues, specifically neurological and physical impairments.

He said a medical report regarding the accused’s health condition had been submitted to the court for consideration and Law acknowledged that the prosecution had just received the report, which confirmed that the accused had suffered a stroke and was experiencing cognitive impairment.

“Health factors are among the key considerations the court should take into account, as my client no longer has an income after leaving his position, and his living expenses are fully borne by his wife and family members.

“His family members specifically his wife also have to support seven children aged between 14 and 21, all of whom are still pursuing their education,” said Hasshahari.

He further argued that there was no risk of the accused fleeing, given that his health condition renders him dependent on his wife and family, making it impossible for him to live independently while he also offered to surrender the accused’s passport to the court.

The court subsequently granted bail of RM50,000 with two sureties and imposed additional conditions requiring the accused to surrender his passport to the court, report to the nearest MACC office every three months, and refrain from interfering with any witnesses.

The court also fixed November 3 for the next mention of the case.

Previously, MACC announced that a former top management official of a corporation would be charged in court regarding losses incurred by UHSB, including allegations of abuse of power involving operational expense payments to several companies totalling approximately RM42 million.

In a statement, the MACC revealed that the male suspect, aged in his 50s, was arrested at approximately 1pm yesterday at his residence in the Klang Valley.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly committed the acts in 2017 by authorising operational expense payments to several companies in which he is believed to have held an interest. — Bernama