Seremban Umno division vice-head Mohd Nor Awang was acquitted and discharged by the Sessions Court today of two counts of corruption without his defence being called.

Judge Zamri Bakar ruled that the prosecution had failed to make out a prima facie case against him on both counts.

His supporters cheered when judgment was passed, prompting Zamri to admonish them.

On the first charge, Mohd Nor, 48, a businessman, was alleged to have given a RM200 bribe to the Taman Zaiton Indah Umno branch chief Rezwat Shahril Zainal Ariffin as an inducement to nominate him for the post of Seremban Umno division head for 2008-2011.

The offence was allegedly committed in a car behind Restoran Negeri, Taman Catleya, Senawang, at noon on Aug 1 last year.

He was also alleged to have given RM500 to Rezwat for the same purpose at a parking lot behind the Centre Point shopping complex in Jalan Datuk Siamang Gagap the following day.

Mohd Nor told reporters later that he was happy and thankful that he had been cleared of the charges.

He was represented by counsel Raftfizi Zainal Abidin, S Parameswaran and G Jayaprakash while deputy public prosecutor from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Nor Fazlin Hamdan appeared for the prosecution.

- Bernama