Former Semenyih state assemblyperson Ahamad Kuris Mohd Nor was acquitted and discharged of three counts of corruption amounting to RM30,000.

Kuris who was also charged three years ago with asking for a RM170,000 bribe from a contractor was acquitted without called to make his defence.

Session court judge Ahmad Sazali Omar said the prosecution had failed to build a prima facie case against the politician turned businessman.

The hearing saw 24 witnesses taking the stand.

Kuris,53, was charged with asking RM170,000 bribe from Azlan Ahmad Marshid of Ufuk Rafa Sdn Bhd at 10B, Tingkat 1, Jalan Mesra Niaga, Batu 13, Jalan Cheras in Kajang at 11.53am on Feb 26, 2007.

The money was as inducement to help Ufuk Rafa win tender for a 30m road in Taman Impian Ehsan, Balakong in Cheras.

He also faced a second and third charge of receiving RM20,000 and RM5,000 from Azlan at the Ulu Langat Umno office in Jalan Tuanku Hishamuddin in Kajang at 12.30pm on May 11, 2007 and Aug 17, 2007.

The fourth charge was receiving RM5,000 from Azlan via credit card at Malayan Banking Berhad, Menara Maybank, Jalan Tun Perak in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 27, 2007.

Kuris, who was then a Kajang Municipal Council member, also faced alternative second, third and fourth charges of misappropriating money belonging to the Hulu Langat Umno division.

The charges under Section 11(a) Anti-Curruption Act 1997 carries a maximum 20 years’ jail and a fine of not less five times the bribe amount, or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Deputy public prosecutor Fariza Hamzah prosecuted on behalf of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) while defence counsel Akbardin Abdul Kadir appeared for Kuris.

- Bernama