A Social Welfare Department officer in Kedah faces two charges of misappropriating house repair funds totalling RM15,000 meant for aid recipients.

ALOR SETAR: A Social Welfare Department officer pleaded not guilty to two counts of misappropriating house repair assistance funds totalling RM15,000.

Mohamad Zarir Mohamad Khozali, 46, was charged in his capacity as the district Welfare Department officer at the Sessions Court here.

The first charge alleges he misappropriated RM3,000 belonging to aid recipient Umi Kalsom Awang at the Kulim Welfare Department office on Sept 19, 2016.

For the second charge, he is accused of misappropriating RM12,000 belonging to Siti Daoyah Awang and Azizah Ishak at a CIMB Bank in Kulim on Oct 2, 2017.

The charges were framed under Section 403 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment, whipping and a fine upon conviction.

Kedah Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy public prosecutor Nurul Atikah Ab Rashid prosecuted the case.

The accused was represented by lawyer Mohd Hakim Hamran.

Judge N Priscilla Hemamalini allowed the accused bail of RM13,000 in one surety.

She also ordered him not to interfere with prosecution witnesses throughout the trial.

The court fixed April 8 for mention of the case.

 The Sun Malaysia