The Sessions Court in George Town today fixed April 30, May 2, 3 and 4 for the trial of former Penang Immigration Department director Abdul Rahman Harun on the charge of possessing assets in excess of his emoluments.

Judge Sitarun Nisa Abdul Aziz reset the trial date as the accused had appointed a new lawyer, Hanif Hashim, on Feb 27 to replace Zamri Idrus.

The court also set May 30 and 31 to hear the submissions from both the prosecution and defence.

Abdul Rahman, 53, who is now the principal assistant director of the Home Ministry’s National Key Results Area (NKRA) unit, was charged with possessing money totalling RM681,355 and properties worth RM136,000, which showed an excess of RM152,081 with regards to his present or past emoluments and all other relevant circumstances.

He is alleged to have failed to provide a satisfactory explanation on the matter to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Oct 11, 2010.

The charge under Section 36 (3) of the MACC Act 2009 carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount of bribe or RM10,000 whichever is higher.

The prosecution was represented by deputy public prosecutors Anthony Kevin Morais and Janariah Abdul Mutalib.

- Bernama