The Sessions Court in George Town ordered former state Immigration Department director Abdul Rahman Harun to enter his defence on a charge of possessing assets in excess of his emolument.

Sessions Court Judge Sitarun Nisa Abdul Aziz said the prosecution has proven a prima facie case against Abdul Rahman, who is now the principal assistant director of the Home Ministry’s National Key Results Area (NKRA) unit.

The court fixed March 19-21 for the accused to enter his defence.

Abdul Rahman, who elected to testify under oath, was charged with possessing money totalling RM681,355 and properties worth RM136,000, which showed an excess of RM152,081 with regard to his present or past emoluments and all other relevant circumstances.

Abdul Rahman, 53, is alleged to have failed to provide satisfactory explanation on the excess in assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on Oct 11, 2010.

The defence team said they would call seven witnesses.

He was charged under Section 36 (3) of the MACC Act 2009 which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of bribe or RM10,000 whichever is higher.

This is the first such case in Malaysia.

The prosecution is carried out by deputy public prosecutor Anthony Kevin Morais while Abdul Rahman is represented by Zamri Idrus.

- Bernama