Malacca Public Works director Khalid Omar was charged in the Sessions Court in Malacca today with 16 counts of corruption and money-laundering, involving more than RM1.28 million.

However, he pleaded not guilty to all charges - 13 counts for corruption and three counts for money-laundering - before judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi.

On the corruption charges, Khalid was alleged to have received bribes, worth RM196,200, at Batu Berendam and the Malacca Public Works Department at Jalan Taming Sari in Malacca between March 2014 and August this year.

Eight of the charges were made under Section 165 of the Penal Code for accepting valuable things from person whom he knew had connection with his official function.

The offence carries an imprisonment for up to two years, or with fine, or any two of the punishments, if found guilty.

The five other charges were made under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 for accepting gratification, which provides an imprisonment for up to 20 years and fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Khalid also Faced 13 counts of money-laundering, involving more than RM1.08 million, in the form of RM206,396.16 in the Amanah Saham Bumiputera 2 account; RM506,735.92 in Tabung Haji account and cash of RM375,200, allegedly obtained from illegal proceeds.

The charges were made under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money-Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 which provides an imprisonment for up to 15 years, or fine not less than five times the aggregate sum or value of proceeds from the illegal activities, if found guilty.

Deputy public prosecutor from MACC, Ahmad Akram Gharib, who prosecuted, offered bail at RM500,000 for the corruption charges and RM500,000 for money-laundering charges with one surety and for Khalid to surrender his passport to the court.

However, Khalid’s lawyer, Azrul Zulkifli Stork, said his client did not have the fund as his assets had been frozen.

Meor Sulaiman then set bail at RM100,000 for the corruption charges and RM150,000 for the money-laundering charges with one surety. Khalid posted the bail.

He also ordered Khalid to surrender his passport to the court and to report himself at the Malacca MACC office every month.

The court set Nov 4 for mention.

- Bernama