Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) vice chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Ir Dr Abdul Aziz Abdul Samad claimed trial at the Sessions Court in Johor Baru today to soliciting and receiving a RM15,000 bribe from a contractor.

Abdul Aziz, 52, is accused of soliciting for the sum from Mohamad Anal Talhah, 41, on an unspecified date in December 2010 and receiving the money through his personal account in Muamalat Bank, UTHM branch at Parit Raja near Batu Pahat on Jan 28, 2011.

The bribe was allegedly an inducement to assist Mohamad Anal in securing contract works from UTHM’s Property Development and Management office.

The accused, who is also the UTHM tender bid B committee chairperson and an acquisition board member, also claimed trial to an alternative charge of receiving RM15,000 from Mohammad Anal through the same bank account on the same date, allegedly as gratification in connection with works that the contractor was involved in.

Judge Mohamad Haldar Abdul Aziz set bail at RM20,000 in one surety and fixed Nov 9 for re mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Abdul Ghafar Ab Latif from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission prosecuted while the accused was represented by counsels Abdul Halem Mohamad Husin and Shahrul Syazwan Salehin.

- Bernama