A Kelantan PKR leader and a single mother claimed trial today in separate sessions courts over a RM50,000 bribe as an inducement to obtain a ‘datuk’ title for an individual.

Mohammad Agos Mohd Noor, 52, head of the Rantau Panjang PKR division, and Nor Azimah Jamaludin, 31, were released on RM30,000 bail each, and their cases are set for mention on May 9.

Mohammad Agos pleaded not guilty before judge Rozilah Salleh to abetting Nor Azimah in accepting a RM50,000 bribe through a Public Bank cheque dated Dec 7, 2010 as an inducement to obtain the ‘Dato' D'Raja’ award from the Persatuan Kerabat D'Raja DYMM Long Yunus Negeri Kelantan for one Izuldin Hani Mohd Noor.

He was charged under Section 28(1)(C) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24 of the same act, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and a minimum fine of RM10,000 or five times the bribe amount, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Alternatively, he was charged with abetting Nor Azimah to deceive Izuldin Hani into believing that Nor Azimah could secure the ‘Dato' D'Raja’ award, whereas it was unlawful under the Kelantan constitution.

Mohammad Agos allegedly committed both the offences at the McDonald's Restaurant in Taman Melati Mukim, Setapak, here on Dec 8 last year.

Pleaded not guilty

In the other court, Nor Azimah pleaded not guilty before judge Rosbiahanin Ariffin to accepting a RM50,000 bribe from Izuldin Hani by way of a Public Bank cheque as an inducement to obtain the ‘Dato' D'Raja’ title from the Persatuan Kerabat D'Raja DYMM Long Yunus Negeri Kelantan.

She was charged under Section 16(a)(AA) of the MACC Act, which provides for a jail term of 20 years and a minimum fine of RM10,000 or five times the bribe amount, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Alternatively, Nor Azimah is alleged to have deceived Izuldin Hani into believing that she could obtain the ‘Dato' D'Raja’ award, whereas it is unlawful under the Kelantan constitution.

Her action is alleged to have induced Izuldin Hani to hand over a Public Bank cheque for RM50,000 dated Dec 7, 2010.

The charge under Section 420 of the Penal Code provides for a jail term of 10 years, whipping and a possible fine upon conviction.

- Bernama