Johor state executive councillor Abd Latif Bandi has failed to post bail of RM2 million set by the Johor Baru Sessions Court today after he claimed trial to 33 counts of corruption involving land costing more than RM30 million.

Sessions judge Mohd Fauzi Mohd Nasir ordered the Endau assemblyperson to post bail of RM2 million, with one surety, and to surrender his passport.

Abd Latif's lawyer Abdul Rahim Ali told Malaysiakini that the former could not raise the bail amount as all of his assets have been frozen.

“Datuk (Abd Latif) failed to post bail. Only Haji Amir released,” said Abdul Rahim in reference to middleman Amir Sharifuddin Abdul Raub, who was also charged on similar counts.

The bail conditions were the same for Amir Sharifuddin.

“Both were charged under Section 16(1)(b) of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which was read together with Section 28 of the same act,” Abdul Rahim said.

If convicted, they could be punished under Section 24 of MACC Act and may face up to 20 years' jail and five times the bribed amount or RM10,000 fine, whichever is higher, on each charge.

Abd Latif had earlier been remanded for seven days by MACC to assist in its investigation into corruption. He was released on a RM200,000 deposit with oral bail.

It was reported that the MACC raided his home and seized 150 handbags, a luxury vehicle and and RM41,000.

The case had also seen six other arrests, including Abd Latif's son and his special officer.

Johor Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin then announced that Abd Latif has been put on leave since March 1. His housing and local government portfolio was taken over by Jais Sarday.