GEORGE TOWN, Oct 15 — The chairman of a statutory body in Penang pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to 15 charges of accepting bribes totalling more than RM800,000 between June 2025 and July this year.

Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin, 53, is accused of corruptly receiving RM847,107.61 through Aliran Ilham Sdn Bhd (AISB) in multiple transactions from ATSH Management Sdn Bhd (ATSH) director Datuk R. Albert Suresh. The alleged bribes ranged from RM45.51 to RM244,620.

The payments were allegedly received as an inducement for appointing ATSH as a subcontractor to AISB for a RM23.27 million project to construct a 10-storey hostel block and facilities using the Industrialised Building System at Institut Kemahiran Tinggi PERDA in Bukit Panchor, Seberang Perai Selatan.

The alleged offences took place at a bank in Jalan Perda Selatan, Bandar Perda, in Seberang Perai Tengah, between June 26, 2025, and July 9, 2026.

The charges were brought under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 (Act 694), which provides for a maximum prison term of 20 years and a fine of at least five times the value of the gratification involved, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutors Lim Jin Hong and Nurnajihatul Idayu Mohd Azuyar proposed bail of RM1 million, with additional conditions requiring the accused to surrender his passport, report to the MACC office monthly and refrain from interfering with prosecution witnesses.

Shaik Hussein was represented by a seven-member legal team led by Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, comprising Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican, Mohd Shahrullah Khan, Simon Tan, Dr Shamsher Singh Thind, Muzzammil Merican and Intan Nur Alia Nodzri.

Amer Hamzah objected to the proposed bail amount, describing it as excessive and arguing that the prosecution had not provided sufficient factual grounds to justify the sum as necessary to ensure his client’s attendance in court.

Judge Irwan Suainbon granted the accused bail of RM300,000, subject to reporting to the MACC office once every two months and the other conditions proposed by the prosecution, and fixed Jan 8, 2027, for the submission of documents.

The court also allowed the accused to apply for the temporary release of his passport for specific periods and purposes, should the need arise. — Bernama