Two Perak Education Department assistant directors deny three counts of accepting RM4,000 in bribes from a company manager between 2020 and 2022.

IPOH: Two assistant directors from the Perak State Education Department pleaded not guilty to three charges of accepting bribes totalling RM4,000.

Wan Muhamad Huzairi Shukri, 42, and Nor Haslan Nor Zaman, 46, entered their pleas at the Sessions Court here.

The first charge alleges they jointly accepted RM2,000 deposited into Wan Muhamad Huzairi’s bank account on Nor Haslan’s instruction in August 2020.

The money was allegedly received from a manager of Pixtor Solution Sdn Bhd, a company with official dealings with their unit.

Both men served in the department’s Student Talent Development (Co-curriculum) Unit at the time.

The second and third charges involve similar offences for RM1,500 and RM500 in January and March 2022.

All alleged transactions occurred at a Bank Simpanan Nasional branch in Medan Gopeng here.

The charges are framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum two-year jail term or fine.

The prosecution requested bail of RM10,000 per charge with one surety for each accused.

They also requested conditions prohibiting witness interference and requiring monthly reporting to the MACC.

Defence lawyer Hafiz Norkhan sought a reduction, citing his clients’ roles as sole breadwinners for their families.

He stated their net monthly incomes were RM6,000 and RM7,000 respectively and highlighted their cooperation since arrest.

Judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi granted reduced bail of RM5,000 per accused for all charges.

The court imposed the prosecution’s requested additional conditions on both defendants.

The case has been set for further mention on April 15.

 The Sun Malaysia